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.
If Iran could hold territory, it would have taken the entire region a long time ago. We should take whatever we need to secure the gulf permanently.
“The problem is that it really only takes a hit on one tanker to turn the whole situation into a PR nightmare.”
The cost of a new tanker filled with oil might be $200 million.
Consumers are paying about $80 billion/month more for petroleum products.
“American technological skill raised and repaired all but three of the ships sunk or damaged at Pearl Harbor. Most importantly, the shock and anger that Americans felt in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor united the nation and was translated into a collective commitment to victory in World War II.”