The sweet spot is how much damage can 'we' do to them without them going all the way to 11 to their response.

I don't know if now, with all that is going on with Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, that US Navy will try to take out official state/military vessels. US Navy would blow to smithereens any 'pirate' boats, but something with a flag.. tough choice.

I assume you're referring to operation praying mantis? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ihmIxZtMBQ

Nb their navy already barely existed, however.

[EDIT] I just mean that the magnitude of this event was a lot smaller than one might imagine from a context-free "half".

they now rely on drones, which are harder to destroy.

As well it should be again.