RE: Another view from another part of the world10 Mar 2026 18:06
"Why haven't iran taken any action if this story is true?
While Iran has not yet launched a large-scale military strike against U.S. naval assets following the reported escort on 10 March 2026, their "lack of action" is actually a deliberate strategic and tactical choice.
1. The "Bridgeton" Strategy: Asymmetric Deterrence
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) spokesperson, Ali Mohammad Naini, explicitly warned the U.S. to "remember the fire on the American supertanker Bridgeton in 1987".
Reuters
Reuters
+1
Instead of a direct ship-to-ship battle, Iran prefers asymmetric tactics like naval mining and "swarm" drone attacks that are harder to intercept.
By waiting, they force the U.S. to maintain a high-cost, high-tension escort posture for every single ship, which is unsustainable for the roughly 100 vessels that normally pass daily.
The Guardian
The Guardian
+4
2. Economic Self-Preservation
Iran is currently maintaining what analysts call a "leaky closure".
They are allowing their own tankers and "shadow fleet" vessels—mostly bound for China—to pass through the Strait.
A full-scale military engagement that results in the physical sinking of ships or heavy mining would permanently close the waterway to all traffic, including their own remaining oil exports which they desperately need for hard currency.
Windward
Windward
+4
3. Selective Targeting
Iran has already taken action, just not against the U.S. Navy directly in this specific instance.
In the last 10 days, Iran has attacked at least 10 to 15 commercial vessels that were not under military escort.
They have achieved an 86–90% collapse in traffic simply through threats and selective strikes, which has caused insurance companies to withdraw coverage. They do not need to fight the U.S. Navy to win the "war of nerves" that has already paralyzed global shipping.
Navy Lookout
Navy Lookout
+5
4. Strategic Vulnerability
The U.S. currently has a limited number of destroyers in the region, several of which are tied up defending aircraft carriers.
The Observer
The Observer
Military analysts suggest Iran may be waiting for the U.S. to commit to a large-scale convoy (1 warship to 1–2 tankers) where the density of targets makes a mass drone or missile "saturation" attack more likely to succeed"
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