The State of Iran is a power but isn’t expressly powerful in the Middle East in our terms or context.
Just as the World Wars showed military might and strength is setup between peoples as an affront and a rebuke, so diplomacy and negotiations show that proof is needed for further action or mercy can be shown if contrition is a real factor of events.
There’s no total dividing line between nations, but cracks are showing in the endeavours by leaders such as in Iran to improve their dominant credentials and to boost their presence in the world.
America comes out swinging to show its preeminence in many areas, to also confront nefarious ‘grouped’ players and actors in localised conditions. It’s a calculation of risk not managed or resolved well by meeting each other.