I do. The US Navy cannot prevent the straights from being closed. They can only begin a roll back that will take at least 2 months to complete.
The Iranians have a great surplus of ASCMs and mines that can both be deployed from shore. They also have thousands of suicide boats. Ultimately, only holding that shoreline would provide open transit.
But what do you propose. I'm all ears.
The straits can be kept open using minesweepers and other anti-mine technology. I don't know where you came up with the two months estimate, but the global economy would have a hard time surviving if that were the case.
The Iranians have a great surplus of ASCMs and mines that can both be deployed from shore. They also have thousands of suicide boats. Ultimately, only holding that shoreline would provide open transit.
If Iran were to employ what you say, it would be an act of war, and for the current regime, an act of suicide. I don't think that current regime wants to give us the pretext to destroy them. I say that advisedly having served in Iran during the fall of the Shah and the hijacking of the Iranian Revolution by Khomeini and the mullahs. They are interested in remaining in power.
But what do you propose. I'm all ears.
We stay in Iraq and achieve our objectives of a stable democracy and an ally in the WOT.