The hard core NeoCon was on Amanpour last night, advising that, instead of military intervention in Iran, Trump should more aggressively obstruct Iranian oil exports.

The carrier group headed to the Middle East is the Lincoln's, re-positioned from the South China Sea.

That carrier group could be used to attack Iran, or it could be used to hijack tankers, the same way the Ford's group has helped hijack tankers offshore Venezuela.

The Brits seem to be entirely on board with the hijacking program. The Russian flagged tanker that was hijacked a week ago, dropped anchor off the Scottish coast a few days ago.

Russian shadow fleet oil tanker drops anchor three miles off coast of Scotland days after it was seized in US commando-style raid with help of British military

A rogue oil tanker intercepted by the US on its way to Russia from Venezuela was yesterday anchored a few miles off Scotland's coast.

The Marinera was spotted off Burghead near Lossiemouth on the Moray coast.

The tanker, seized last week in an American-led operation in the North Atlantic, was anchored three miles off the coast near to the deep water port and former naval base at Invergordon.

dailymail.co.uk - Russian shadow fleet oil tanker drops anchor three miles coast Scotland days seized US commando style raid hel

This rather answers the question "if the US hijacks a tanker in the Indian Ocean, what would they do with it?" I would propose sailing the tanker to Diego Garcia, a UK possession. Then remove the crew, board a prize crew, refuel, if needed, then sail the hijacked tanker and cargo back to Shinyland, so it can be auctioned off, and God in Human Form Trump can transmit his cut to his offshore bank account.

The easiest trip for the hijacked tanker would be to the Israeli tanker port at Eilat. I am reasonably confident that, if the US tried to sail a hijacked Iranian cargo up the Red Sea, the Houthis would do their level best to sink it. The Saudis and Jordanians would be queasy about it, and the Iranians might decide to attack Eilat.

The UK is a net importer of oil these days, but it would be easier for the Pirate King to steal the money if the auction was in Shinyland.

Steve