US and Iran conflict thread. ( merged threads)

[Steal2B]

With what ?

To actually seize a naval vessel you need to be able to board it. That requires manned ships or aircraft. Iran no longer has the ability to field either.

Iran will be targeting Commercial US Flag, Allied Flag Commercial vessels and likely unarmed USN vessels staffed by civilian USCG Licensed Officers and civilian American crews being paid by the DoW through the USMSC.

US Flagged Commercial vessels and even most USN support vessels (Tankers, Bulk Cargo, Containers usually manned by USMSC) are nearly all unarmed.

There are a few rare exceptions like when small arms such as M16s are issued to qualified crew / officers (e.g. some USMC support ships or pirate hunters out of Diego Garcia manned by USMSC) and I am also aware of some 1911s coming out of an armory for some trips (e.g. to Commisioned Officers sailing as Licensed Civilian Officers on USN owned but civilian manned contract "Research Vessels".)

I sailed on a couple commercial vessels where the only firearm on board was a declared revolver issued to the Master / Captain and kept in his quarter's safe.

Most commercial ship owners prohibit the arming of their ships. That's been a major issue in Pirate infested waters where sometimes Zulu warriors (or Israeli mercenaries on foreign flag ships) are hired for security and the Zulu weapons are not firearms. (If you haven't guessed, Zulu communities hate Somalis and the presence of Zulu security is an effective deterrent in lieu of arming the Amercan crew in Pirate waters)