If I were to take a major action against Iran, here is what I would do.
1. Move 2 to 3 carrier groups into the gulf, including 2 MEF’s (Marine Expiditionary Force), and what ever SEAL teams not engaged elswhere.
2. In the dark of night launch a massive air campaign against all military target in Iran, with special attention given to their naval/coastal defenses and installation.
3. Simultaneously seize every Iranian Oil platform in the gulf using SEALs and Marines.
Most of Iran’s Oil is produced by these offshore platforms. Without that oil, they will be starved of money. They cannont risk their destruction by attacking them (we can threaten to render them unusable if they do).
We tell Iran that they can have the platforms back when they have proved to OUR satisfaction that their nuclear facilities have been dismantled, the Russians have left, and Ahmednutjob has been turned over to US authorities to be put on trial for the 79 Hostage Crisis.
In the meantime, we can top off America’s tank on Iran’s dime.
No boots on the ground, nothing the Russians can do about it.
And if it flies in Iranian airspace without our permission, it dies.