CriticalThinker02
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usually the airstrikes that have been carried out from the gulf have been ones involving tankers and those launched from aircraft carriers. While you are right that delays are an issue, unless the aircraft carrier is really close and at the ready, range and cost isn't too much of an issue for the US. Though I do think a base in Uzbekistan like the Karshi-Khanabad Air Base which was previously used would probably make more sense, if they did decide to use an airbase.
An aircraft carrier will be even costlier strategic wise as you won't be effectively able to contain China within the south China sea.