You overlook the most important criteria for the operation.
That is, to take possession of the vessels, the cargo and passengers and bring all to the desired port under absolute control and in accord with precedent and established procedure.
Mere stopping the vessels was not the objective
That objective was stupid, with a 99% chance of turning into a PR catastrophe.
If the mission is to arrange a virgin birth in a blizzard on a skateboard, the mission is STUPID.
Gallipoli was also a mission. It was also a STUPID mission.