That's a good question. One well known and interesting tactic is for military aircraft to fly behind commercial aircraft to gain cover and penetrate airspace. We've done this before as have other countries, for instance in Ukraine. Perhaps that's what Iran thought was happening. I have another theory but I won't get into it.
I have no doubt they believed their airspace was being penetrated and more than likely they thought it was being penetrated by the United States. They didn't flinch, they didn't blink, they shot it down. That is not the act of a country running scared. Crazy? Maybe. Scared, no.
Which actually brings up a third possibility that someone spoofed their radar. Not out of the realm of possibility, the technology has been used in Syria on the same SAM. Not saying this is what happened, just a third possibility. I still think it was a heat of the moment type scenario in Iran but just something to consider.
Not to worry, Everyone, about the black box. Iran says they will do it themself and take care of bidness. What could go wrong there? Iran to analyze black box after missile blamed for crash https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...-after-missile-blamed-for-crash-idUSKBN1Z80I3
Probably, more a sign of ineptness. I think they are able to distinguish the flight pattern of a passenger jet compared to a drone or fighter jet. Or Iranians just have no clue on what they see on their radars? They probably, assumed it was a drone but, did not try and very if it is a passenger jet instead? Pilot would have answered if they radioed a message.
Since its clear Iran did this the media has taken all related editorials and imagery offline and has removed this subject from the list of sanctioned leftist talking points. Poof! All gone!
You basically carry yourself like a Nazi would in 1930s Germany and what is going way over your head is people like me are just going to put you in your place. I see no evidence you are intelligent; quite the opposite really that you think your ideas have any place in the modern world. Again, I wonder how poorly the American education system is that dumb guys like you came out of the system. The extreme hubris in your country compels mediocre people like yourself to have unrealistic expectations of their knowledge and abilities. It's why some of you think starting wars is a positive outcome that will lead to easy conquests and liberations in countries where you are absolutely hated for very legitimate reasons. What is sad really is how you carry yourself as a human being and your lack of basic human decency.