You act as if the Iranians are invincible and the West has no way to deter them. I disagree. Given the proper time to deploy the needed assets and directed by us (backed by the Eurowankers who certainly have an interest) It is my belief the Straight can be kept open or perhaps have only a minimal amount of traffic impediment and that for a short period of time.
A warning followed by decisive and powerful response should Iran attack the Saudi fields as you suggest would act as a heads up and I believe a future deterrent.
Somehow the Mullahs have gotten the idea Trump won’t act out of fear it will hurt him politically. They need to be disavowed from that sort of thinking.
“You act as if the Iranians are invincible and the West has no way to deter them.”
Not at all.
The Iranians would live a short, but exciting life under sustained US attack, especially if augmented by allies in the region.
However, should there be any delay in neutralizing their capabilities, they will be used, and used to great effect.
Iran has the ability to completely shut down Gulf oil shipments/production for a limited period of time. Some of that infrastructure would take years to rebuild.
Thus, the delay as the US wrangles with allies who would rather appease.