Originally Posted by rickair7777

Their ability to block the SoH with small, cheap, asymmetric weapons is based on the current economic structure of oil shipping. If/when it gets painful enough, insurance companies, crews and ship owners will no longer be calling the shots.

Nations will take charge and a combination of risk mitigation and also accepting a little risk to tankers will get it flowing again. Don't know how much time and economic pain will ensue before that happens.

We are not bombing civilians. In addition to war crimes, the civilians are largely opposed to the regime. No point in forcing them into the regime's camp.

Also we still have the lever of cutting off *their* oil revenue, by blockading/seizing/bombing oil terminal infrastructure. Not sure what the timeline or delay is on that, maybe want more forces in theater. Maybe also giving IR opportunity to recognize how bad that would be and negotiate.

Also PRC isn't really on their side in this... they get some oil from IR, but most of their imports comes from other gulf states, so they're feeling the same pain as everyone else.