From the time of the Great White Fleet America was known and respected as a dominating world power.
Yeah, we had to prove it a couple a three times, but today no sane person would fire on the US fleet from a flagged vessel of their own.
They just are not eager to die.
“but today no sane person would fire on the US fleet from a flagged vessel of their own.”
Only Iranians in motorboats would threaten, and demand they surrender.