Iran has a significant anti-shipping capability. They armed with silkworm missles as well as possibly up to 20 modern missle cruisers and 1000s of light attack craft. Anti-shipping missles are very hard to counter. We would have to spend a considerable amount of time using air and land assests to clear the coastal batteries and Iranian Naval vessels out. I would say if this scenario went into effect, the Straits could be shutdown for at least 3 -5 weeks. This would have a major impact on oil shipments (rougly 1/6) of the world's oil is exported through the strait.
However, what is the alternative? A nuclear-armed terrrorists country who has already shown its disdain for the west and publicly stated intentions of "wiping Israel off the map."
lol. Try 20 missile boats (MTB sized with 4 each) and some rubber dingies. One actual modern missile cruiser would sink the entire lot in less than 4 hours.
Agree. The cost of action now is defnently preferrable to the costs of inaction (which would mean millions dead).