Would striking an aircraft carrier draw america further in or further away (actually estabilish deterrence)?
This is really a 50/50 situation IMO. But the likelihood of Iran fully sinking a carrier is low at this point, but it increases the longer this goes on. I think a “mission kill” (force the carrier out of the theater for repairs) is significantly more likely than making a radioactive artificial reef in the Persian Gulf n
Aircraft carriers have to point in specific directions and go at certain speeds according to wind conditions in order to launch and recover aircraft. It’s almost more important today with the larger, heavier jet aircraft, even with the catapults.
The US military has struggled with enforcing their opsec policies regarding phones and social media the whole time. Despite being a “professional volunteer force,” it’s full of petulant children who chafe against being told not to post everything online (to our benefit).
They are definitely able to mine the strait. US minesweepers are typically stationed in Bahrain. They would not be able to defend from a significant Shahed attack, as they are wood and fiberglass hulls (steel hulls set off mines) and can’t hold significant air defense. Minesweepers have to be escorted, but the escorts have to maintain distance due to the nature of clearing mines. It’s a very dangerous task.
Oh no hide your shrimp tank dort owl!