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U.S. Navy v. Iran

(Weekly Standard) Michael Auslin - A recent Office of Naval Intelligence report claims that Iran has achieved the capability of "easily" closing off the Straits of Hormuz in wartime. Supposedly, the Iranian navy has sufficient surface and subsurface vessels, along with advanced missile torpedoes, that can hold enemy naval ships at risk. This matters now because of concerns that an Israeli (or U.S.) attack on Iran's nuclear program could result in Tehran's retaliation, including choking off 40% of the world's oil supply. Whether or not Iran truly maintains this capability, it is hard to believe that even if Iran succeeded in closing off the Straits, the U.S. Navy and Air Force would not be able to re-open them easily. Few can doubt that the U.S. would prevail, and probably quickly, in any naval clash with the Iranians. The writer is a resident scholar in foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
2009-12-18 08:10:49
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