Prior to Iran attacks, CIA assessed Khamenei would be replaced by hardline IRGC elements if killed, sources say

Its not counterproductive if your end goal is escalation.

There was one evergreen line in that strange movie the interview and it goes like:

'How many times will America repeat the same mistake?'

'AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES!'

the goal is to make sure next generation of Iranians rightfully hates America. they are doing it to make sure there are always enemies to bomb

No, that is the objective

Counterproductive to what? Peace? Stability? Not the goal. High oil prices are good for the US and Russia. Squeezing Europe with throttled and expensive trade by closing the Hormuz strait? Again, good for US and Russia. Potentially shifting trade routes thru the Bering strait and across the now unfrozen north pole? Again...