On one hand, I think there is a genuine chance that he wants a war with Iran (and/or Venezuela), and that this will happen at some point during his innings, but on the other I wouldn't be too surprised if this was bantz was be followed up with peace talks and saying how Rouhani is someone he can do business with.
Yes, he certainly understands that, but OTOH they also get the neo-cons and lib-hawks who have been screeching "Russia! Russia! Russia!" off his back for a few minutes. Every time he lobs a few dozen cruise missiles into empty buildings in Syria they all cheer and call him 'presidential'.