Originally Posted by
WillowRun 6-3
"First, the U.S. should prepare a major series of strikes against Iranian communications, transportation and other infrastructure, while concurrently unleashing the Israeli air force against remaining Iranian industries. Iran’s metallurgical industry, a pillar of its state-backed economy, is badly damaged. Coordinating with Israeli attacks on these targets while disrupting Iranian military movement would cripple virtually every industry for Iran except oil production.
Two additional operations would target the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian uranium storage in Isfahan. The former would be principally against Qeshm Island, in concert with the United Arab Emirates, which has attacked Iran many times during the war. Qeshm and its surrounding islands are the key to the strait. The latter operation should aim to seize nuclear material. By rescuing a downed pilot in early April, the U.S. demonstrated it can operate in the area effectively.
Finally, the U.S. should attack remaining Iranian tanker capacity inside the Strait of Hormuz. The faster we destroy Iran’s floating oil storage, the more the country’s economy will feel the squeeze.
Mr. Trump’s objective shouldn’t be to bluff the Iranians out. Instead it should be to demonstrate that if push comes to shove, the U.S. will commit to an overwhelming confrontation that breaks the Iranian state economically and politically. An air campaign approximating the war’s first week, which disoriented Iranian capabilities, is possible now that the dust has settled around Iran’s leadership."
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What the author fails to acknowledge is Iran's ability - and stated intent - to retaliate against the Gulf states oil & gas infrastructure, in the event of a resumption of military strikes by the US. It appears people have already forgotten about Iran's response to Israel's attack on the Fars gas facility (Trump being forced to rein the Israelis back in).
Also I don't concur with the author's assessment that Qeshm Island is the key to the Straits. Surely these small boats can operate pretty much from anywhere along the Iranian coastline, even beyond the Straits? As for seizing the nuclear material, well it appears the US has already tried and failed to this. I'd contend that they got lucky the last time in that it didn't turn into a fiasco with multiple casualties and hostages.