Good ol' Netty needs to have some reason to deflect from his...

Good ol' Netty needs to have some reason to deflect from his atrocious outcome of the surprise attack which his military has no knowledge of (or if they did, they didn't or weren't allowed to act on it - and therefore justify this invasion). He is trying to involve the Iranian's into this conflict so he can be the strong leader. But at the same time, he needs to be mindful of hostages as the public tide is flowing way out to sea and his boat is stuck high and dry.