Isn’t it amazing that we “wonder” what our “president” might do?
You can imagine the scene....a dozen front-office people/special advisers....none with military experience....talking to the President.
The key ingredient to this plan is the least amount of firepower necessary....as not to intimidate or harm Iran. So, they finally open up a Janes Navy book on the US Navy...because they don’t even know the capability of their own navy. Eventually, they decide on two light cruisers...suggesting the Cleveland-class. Later they discover that all of the Cleveland-class cruisers were retired decades ago. Then finally, they say the USS Lake Erie (because it has a nifty name) will be the chosen vessel to fight off the Iranians over Yemen.
Then the arguments will start up over the operational name for this.
Finally, someone will ask about the repercussions if they accidentally sink an Iranian ship. The President will start sweating and everyone will realize that engaging is absolutely forbidden.
My read: The USN regional & Fleet commands are “keeping options open” for the president by positioning ships & aircraft to interdict the shipments “if the order is given.”
But that’s about it. I don’t think the Obama Adminstration has made any decisions at this point and are probably ‘hoping’ that Iran will back down.
“Hope” isn’t a strategy. Obama had better get his sh- together because he’s being tested.