Iran's response was to attack Iraqi military bases

Iraqi military bases housing U.S. military.

But, why strike Iraqi bases instead of US bases?

Their firecrackers can only go so far

They don't learn, do they?

This was a publicity stunt by Iran.

If they fired 10, send 100+ back. Let’s make the response grossly disproportionate so they understand Obama isn’t in office and we aren’t sending cash in the middle of the night. Hit the ports and their ability to export anything including crude. Just shut that whole fricking place down.

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But, why strike Iraqi bases instead of US bases?

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Probably tried and missed.

Because they want to do a couple of things. Capitalize on the nationalistic energy of Soleimani's death to appease hardliners, and to open the door for American overreaction which will continue to justify their extraterritorial ambitions. Iran's military is built on a doctrine of asymmetry, and they would rather the US send lots of ground forces to continue their "death by a thousand cuts" philosophy that Soleimani implemented in 2008 or so. Airstrikes don't suit them, as they only have the S-300 I believe. If the US overreacts with more and more ground forces, that will continue the small scale attacks in all likelihood.

If the US response is airstrikes, then there is a chance for deescalation. The Iranians want to build on the major gains they made during the SCW, and American attention in terms of airstrikes isn't ideal for them.

Now Soleimani's death could spur a change in approach, as some militia leaders have said they want to expel the US from Iraq and Syria, but in my view that would continue the broad Iranian doctrine of small-scale attacks in order to either get the US out of the region, or for the US to up their involvement, at which point the asymmetric warfare doctrine dovetails nicely with a guerrilla campaign.

They can’t project power beyond the region....this always going to be in the neighborhood....especially after they declared it would be state not proxy action...though I’m sure proxy action is still on the table.