Its not inane at all. It would be rational for Iran to avoid the negative consequences taken by another's pre-emptive initiative. A pre-emptive move to negate another's pre-emptive move would be logical, depending on the risk/reward parameters.
Its chess, except the pawns have mothers, fathers, wives or husbands and children. And they all bleed.
In fact, taking it a step further, its logical to assume the Trump admin knew that in taking what they characterize as a preemptive strike against an imminent threat, that the assaasination woulId be answered by Iran with a deadly response.
And that it was possible that response to the assassination, would be far more dangerous long-term than the original threat.
By unknown and horrendous magnitudes.
While the threat may have been real, it is not out of the question, that Trump was upset that Melania wouldn't put out New year's Eve, or maybe that be had tripled bogeyed the the 18th hole at Mar-A-Lago, lost a $100 side-bet and acted out, and wanted to re-establish his alphaness.
Who the fuck knows with this inept dangerous wannabe dictator.