What would happen to American patriotism if China "pre-emptively" attacked its military research facilities? It would be the only thing on the news, and the only thing people would want would be revenge.

Yeah but the difference is that America isn't a fundamentalist theocratic death cult hell bent on eradicating an entire religion and anyone associated with it. There's a stark difference there isn't there? Or are you trying to put Iran and America on the same plane?