Can Iran Attack American ships?

Answer 1

Absolutely.

They have a couple of diesel submarines - They're quiet, but in the restricted waters of the Gulf, they wouldn't last long - Park it on the bottom and wait, and they might very well get a shot or two off at a passing American vessel.

They also have a sizable mine-warfare capability which presents a very large threat to American vessels. Armed speedboats are also a challenge to ships designed to defend against other capital ships. The new CIWS capabilities can deal with this, but it's still a challenge.

Finally, they have a lot of shore-based Anti-Ship Missiles, including chinese Silkworms which present a pretty clear threat to the Navy as well.

Nothing the Navy can't deal with, but the risk of lost ships is there.

Even greater is the risk to civilian shipping - particularly oil tankers - in the Strait of Hormuz. This sort of thing was seen during "The Battle Of The Tankers" during the Iran-Iraq war.

Hope this helps.

Orion

Answer 2

A better question would be: "Can Iran attack American ships effectively?"

It depends on the conditions. If Iran gets a 'sucker punch' in then they can probably sink a few of our ships. If Iran tries to attack ships that are expecting an attack and prepared for one - they will have a much tougher time.

Another issue Iran has to concern themselves with is collateral damage. They will have a difficult time picking out the US warship from the neutral ships in the crowded waters of the Gulf. And an even harder time in targeting Silkworm missiles to attack the (smaller) US ships vs. the larger commercial vessels. (These missiles generally home in on the largest radar return.)

About the best the Iranians can manage to do - is to really get everybody angry at them.

Answer 3

Can they? Yes. Will they? Not if they have two brain cells to rub together. Right now they have a much better bargaining position by sitting back and looking like they are the little guy get picked on by the infidels.

Answer 4

Yes but I don't think they will. It would not be a wise decision when thousands of troops are just a border away.

Answer 5

yes but i dont think they'll like the consequences

generally speaking u have to be pretty stupid tp attack a super power, even one that bogged down

Answer 6

anybody can attack anybody...now as to whehter they WANT to...thats different.....be kinda stupid considering we want an excuse to bomb their stupid asses back to the stone age anyway

Answer 7

They'll try their nuclear program

Answer 8

no, iran has no navy. in the operation desert sheild, we destroyed their navy. we are pretty darn safe on our big ships

Answer 9

hell yeah!!!!