Why would we position our ships in the straits? Seems to me that’s placing our assets at risk when we can stand off and still attack and destroy anything the Iranians send out.
.......Why would we position our ships in the straits?.....
We must defend the straits to assure passage of shipping. The Gulf States live by seaborne transport......in and out.
We would not “position” them in the Straits.
They have to go through the Straits to get to the Gulf. Carrier Battle Groups (as well as Amphibious groups) generally spend several month in the Gulf and then they return home and let another Battle Group take their place.
And if the Iranians start to threaten shipping in and out of the Gulf we would end up providing convoy escorts. Carriers wouldn’t do that.. of course.
Also, I think it is very unlikely that WE will start any shooting with Iran. If Israel doesn’t strike them first, the most likely scenario would be THEM attacking us.