What has the Brits and the U.S. nervous is that turning this into a military confrontation will quickly lead to the Straits of Hormuz being blockaded by the Iranians.
It would take a coordinated effort of sea and land military actions (clearing the mines and invading the land for a buffer zone of protection) to accomplish this. If you want to include China and Russia on the list, then the international outcry would be "huge". The No Blood for Oil crowd would have its field day, too.
Despite the blather from the Brits, there are no half measures here. It's either let it play out like 2004, or go in all the way.
A naval blockade of all Iranian shipping is the way to go, but we have to be ready for all the shit that will come raining down with it.
"A naval blockade of all Iranian shipping is the way to go, but we have to be ready for all the shit that will come raining down with it."
I think just the 'usual suspects' would put up much of a protest. Oil prices would take a hit for awhile but.......
I don't think it would last long. Iran crumbles without their refined oil products that they have to import. I think the mullahs would have to worry more that the West.
If we destroy their pipelines, they have nothing to ship. And no money from oil sales.