“Anyone who thinks the USA under any kind of rational leadership will simply allow Iran to close the Persian Gulf to tanker traffic by letting them launch a few missles every few days is a fool, in my opinion.”
What does “letting them” have to do with reality? The reality is they have thousands of truck mobile anti-ship missiles waiting in caves.
Do you have a magic plan for destroying them so they can’t be launched? Please let us know how that works.
It would be interesting. Can our drones lase targets? I also wonder if LIDAR has been used to map the area. Around here the mapping shows everything including logging and oil & gas roads in the woods. The existing local data set (2’ contours) was not done with the highest precision available.
I think we have the technology. Whether it’s been used to target everything that needs to be targeted is another story.
No, I don’t have a “magic plan”.
Do you disagree that attacking tankers in international waters is tantamount to an act of war? If it is an act of war, would we be justified on our own (or in concert with an ally whose shipping is attacked) to take appropriate measures?
Do you think there are any other strategic targets in Iran beyond a few guys in a cave with a missle? Or are you simply ruling out attacking anything other than guys in caves with Silkworm missiles?
Do you think harbors can be mined? Refineries disabled or destroyed? Nuclear facilities that can be threatened or attacked?
To be realistic, so many Americans including our leadership (and many on FR) have surrendered the concept of doing what is in our best interests, so I don’t have any illusions about what will happen.
When they cut off a large part of the oil supply to the world, and the enconomy, teetering on the edge, slides into full blown depression and chaos, is that not worth putting up a fight to defend? If it is, then you and I agree.
If it is not, “please let us know how that works”.