The US faces the risk of falling into a trap while trying to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, — WSJ Washington is considering escorting oil tankers with warships through the Strait of Hormuz, but the US Navy is in no rush to deploy forces directly ...
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...into the narrow 21-mile corridor. Officers fear that Iranian drones and anti-ship missiles could turn the strait into a "kill box"—an area under constant threat of attacks on ships. Experts estimate that up to two warships per tanker, or about 10 ships for a convoy of 5-10 vessels, may be needed for protection. Additionally, constant patrols by MQ-9 Reaper drones and strikes against Iranian missile sites on the coast will be required. Even with this plan, shipping traffic could drop to 10%...
... of normal levels, and clearing the queue of over 600 ships stuck in the Persian Gulf could take months. A more extreme scenario would involve strikes on Iranian territory and the destruction of launch sites on the coast, threatening a large-scale operation against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "Such an operation would require thousands of soldiers and sailors and significant resources, and it could take months to carry out," said analyst Brian Clark.