Probably and probably making Iranian shipping less competitive.

Be careful what you wish for.
It that happens, someone will step in to fill the gap, but due to increased demand price will go up. Rest will quickly follow suit.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....70c74a1f86.png

That would require the politicians in charge to have some concept of "Cause and Effect".
Based on our current governing class, that's incredibly wishful thinking.

Reading from above it should be added that from now on, shipping to ports in Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Norway, Greece, Italy, Turkey and others are now unprotected. Participating warships shall not engage in any defense of countries unwilling to defend themselves or their interests.

Take the scenic route.

But that just hits us - the UK especially. So few ships are British flagged - almost everything comes through in ships based in obscure flags of convenience.

Iran, Russia and China will hold joint naval exercises in the coming weeks, Iranian media reported on Monday, referring to the commander of the Islamic Republic's Navy, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani.

The purpose of the exercises is "to ensure regional security in the common interest", the military commander said, according to Russian Interfax.

See if you can guess - apart from Greece - which European countries have more ships flagged than the UK.......

Not that I particularly agree with the idea of penalising the European countries named up-thread.

Iran has enough nuclear material to build its first nuclear weapon within a week - U.S. Institute for Science and International Security

The country is capable of producing six such bombs within a month, and 12 in five months.

Experts note that "Iran's nuclear weapons capability is now more dangerous than ever, while its relations with the West are at an all-time low."

CENTCOM Self-Defense Strikes

On Feb. 5, at approximately 3:30 p.m. (Sanaa time), U.S. Central Command forces conducted a strike in self-defense against two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles (USV).

U.S. forces identified the explosive USVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined they presented an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region.

These actions will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.

A long winded way of saying 2 down, no idea how may left.
Good shooting!

Their core problem is that anyone at whom they would like to launch a missile can (1) probably shoot one down and (2) can fire at least one back their way.
But they might find other ways to infiltrate a bomb into a target nation; heck, just watch a bunch of Hollywood thrillers and take notes. :p

"On the Beach" Nevil Shute. 1957 I think.

Iranian-Backed Houthi Terrorists conduct Multiple Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile Attacks in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden:

On Feb. 6, from approximately 1:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Arabian Standard Time) Iranian-backed Houthi militants fired six anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Three of the ASBMs were attempting to hit MV Star Nasia, a Marshall Island-flagged, Greek owned-and-operated bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden.

At approximately 3:20 a.m., MV Star Nasia reported an explosion near the ship causing minor damage but no injuries.
At 2 p.m. another missile impacted the water near the ship with no effect.
At 4:30 p.m., USS Laboon (DDG 58), operating near MV Star Nasia, intercepted and shot down a third anti-ship ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis.

MV Star Nasia remains seaworthy and is continuing toward its destination.

The remaining three ASBMs were likely targeting MV Morning Tide, a Barbados-flagged, UK-owned cargo ship operating in the Southern Red Sea. The three missiles impacted the water near the ship without effect.

MV Morning Tide is continuing its journey and is reporting no injuries or damage.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....e4c4c6023e.png

Tom Clancy was ahead of his time it appears.



At what point does a preemptive strike become useless?

Slightly different view/version of events here.
Houthis launch new wave of missile attacks on ships off Yemeni coast | Arab News

An excerpt from the Arab news you linked to, joli. Interesting to see that the header for that article had "The Second Nakba" as its title.

For Big Pistons Forever:
Saw a tidbit today that you may find to be of interest. Your take on the whole "strategy" thing seems to dovetail with this fellow's take.
There's a whole interview that this comes from. I think he's called that right.
James Stavridis (ADM) is pretty sharp and he's operated at the higher levels of the Pol / Mil interface for some years.
(I met him back in the early 90's when he was XO of USS Antietam. Impressive then as well).

To what end do we keep blowing stuff up?
We are reasonably good at blowing stuff up.
He seems to think that a new sight line is needed for this political target.

For ORAC: they shot a missile into the air and where it fell they do not care.