[NeonKnight]

The only thing that sort of concerns me is that the Iranians have been hiding Silkworm sites by the dozens along the coast.

I seriously doubt that any one site will get more than one or two shots off, but that will be enough to do some damage. However, once those sites do fire something, I think their survival time will be measured in seconds. That reality will most likely cool the ardor to shoot at American flagged tankers.

It would only take one shot, or even a serious threat to close the straights. The insurance companies will not insure these tankers if there is a serious threat. Too much money involved.

[Lurker]

The Iranians tried that back in the 80's. Reagan had the tankers reflagged so they were all US ships. Once the Iranian navy started attacking what were basically US vessels he had the Navy send the Iranians ships to the bottom of the gulf.

IIRC it was the largest naval battle since WWII. Needless to say it ended badly for the Iranian Navy. There was basically nothing left of them after a week or so.

L

[Citadel84_1]

This is Exactly what the US Navy is for. The teachings of Alfred Thayer Mahan are the dogma that is the US Navy i.e. Control the Sea and you control trade. Like the Royal Navy in the 18th and 19th century any attack on shipping, US flagged or not is an attack on the US therefore the use of force is justified.

[1234]

...The insurance companies will not insure these tankers if there is a serious threat. Too much money involved.

but Uncle Sam can pay the premiums or offer new insurance policies, all being paid for as war reparations by muzzies after regime decapitation, etc..(end sarcasm)

economics will not block US from acting against a national security threat(i hope).

[seppel]

I agree. One shot can sink a tanker. That's a huge amount of money. And the negative press will do the rest. Watch oil prices skyrocket.