The U.S. Navy doesn’t have to operate carriers in the Persian Gulf. From positions off Oman, carrier aircraft can dominate the entire Gulf of Oman and the entire southern Persian Gulf. Carrier aircraft can utilize air-to-air refueling or our base in Bahrain to control the airspace over the central Gulf region. Same procedure works in the northern Gulf with the assistance of Kuwait. And we would have the cooperation of these countries since they would be royally pi**ed at the Iranians for cutting off their major income source. We wouldn’t have to base aircraft in either on of these countries, just sortie them from the carriers and refuel as necessary. Some people are so ready to denigrate the capabilities of carriers that they forget that the aircraft from carriers can have an extended range to the target while the carrier stays out of harms way.
If it comes to the US needing to use force to keep the Gulf open, that is the way it will have to be done, however more expensive it may be. The reality is that big blue water surface capital ships can no longer operate with impunity within the Gulf. As little as three years ago two complete battle groups were on station in the Gulf. It was not wise or ethical then or now to put those sailors in an indefensible situation.