> i feel like it doesnt super make a lot of sense for iran

Indeed. Cui bono?

> not much of Iran's strategy has made much long term sense and more has felt like desperation

According to who? Fox news? If you see the strategic goals of Iran as a country, their strategy so far is close to exemplary. It's just a hard to swallow pill for US pundits to acknowledge their country being totally outplayed while "holding all the cards".