The maritime threat is one of the potential losses of the merchant vessels, and of the obvious risk to the defending naval assets which are by far more valuable than any VLCC + cargo. A CVN just adds additional opportunity to the other team. The problem is, the rounds inbound such as Shaheeds etc are a fraction of the costs of the harm they can inflict on the screening fleet.
Seems to me there is a good case for RIBs with a few stabilised M134s and same for some .50 cals, as everything goes better with a 50. Intermediate range threats such as 155's are a counter battery target, but today, that needs to be done by standoff, or loitering munitions operating up to the limit range of the 155s with base bleed.
Russia providing intel to Iran places Vlad the bestie of the WH in a problematic status, perhaps the US should give Russia a stern warning, but Alaska would be more likely to be on the menu.
I guess it only matters if the WH actually cares for the troops that appear to be getting marching orders to go and do glorious stuff for the supreme being, while Russia is being gifted a windfall while assisting Iran to kill US servicepersons. Not something you would have expected in the past, so that is apparently what progress looks like.