Iran is not flattening Emirati hospitals, like Israel would be doing in their shoes.

Iran is targeting direct US/Israeli interests, which includes military facilities, military personnel, and energy facilities with substantial US/Israeli partnerships. That latter part is particularly key here, and what pro-Israeli propaganda is anxious to suppress.

> plus, if you showed your cards ("decades-old deterrence threats"), you're out of options

Yes, it is a desperation move after undeterred US-Israeli terrorism and brazen violations of international law. But it's also working.