You should take a look at a topographical map of that area. With today’s missiles and drones, someone could sit up in those mountains and take shots at ships without ever being caught.
Iran is not being invaded, nor are we holding their territory for very long. It’s a big place with lots of mountains.
Remember, these guys have been “wargaming” against the US for almost 50 years. They practiced their arts in Iraq for a decade or so.
Your assumption that we could “take” and “control” land there would require a mobilization akin to what Russia has done in Ukraine.
This is a multinational problem that would require a multinational solution. Allowing Iran in its current state to dictate its use is a problem that needs to be addressed.
I agree with most of that. While controlling their air from drones is nearly impossible, controlling the water should be possible.
The problem is that it really only takes a hit on one tanker to turn the whole situation into a PR nightmare.
So the only two options we have (the third one is a controlling territory with ground troops and inviting asymetric insurgency, which I assume Trump will refuse outright) is to continue with a stalemate/truce while attempting to control the water and air as best as possible and start escorting ships, or to go on full-tilt offence and see how much ‘we’ can destabilize Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure.
As I said on another thread, this is a trap.
Hormuz (and Kharg Island) are ideal from a defender point of view.