Three Iranian officials tell the New York Times they gave advance warning of the attack via intermediaries, meaning it was all kayfabe to make it look like to regime loyalists that there was a proportionate response. “The officials said Iran symbolically needed to strike back at the US but at the same time carry it out in a way that allowed all sides an exit ramp,” the Times literally writes.
Which would mean Trump knew this “symbolic” counterattack was coming and still allowed it to happen, putting American troops and Qatari civilians in harm’s way for choreographed bullshit.