[blam]

"Back in my day—you know, wooden ships and iron men—they wouldn’t send a carrier in there because those waters are far too restricted. Of course, that was when Ronaldus Magnus was president. "

I agree...too restrictive.

Also, I don't believe that much of the oil for the USA goes through this strait anymore.

We're doing this mainly for the rest of the (ungrateful) world.

[buckalfa]

"I don't believe that much of the oil for the USA goes through this strait anymore."

That is correct, but removal of oil coming through the Gulf reduces world supply, thus impacting price in the US even though direct shipments do not come from there.

Also I agree with others about operating the carrier in narrow quarters. Technology can be defeated by assymetrical tactics, and Iran appears more than willing to use them.

[thackney]

I don't believe that much of the oil for the USA goes through this strait anymore

Our petroleum imports from the Persian Gulf remain around 2 million barrels per day or about 18% of our total imports. It had been less but has crept back up.

[ataDude]

"Also, I don't believe that much of the oil for the USA goes through this strait anymore." 17% of all oil, according to what I've read.