Sooo... here's the thing(s). Taking the time to stop and lay siege to Iwo Jima was stupid an any tactical advantage gained by having it was nullified by casualties, resources lost, and how LONG it took. The US Navy's surveillance showed that they had no ships. Minimal long range artillery. And ONE Zero who's pilot was so incompetent that he got shot down by a scout pilot in a float plane. They could have just gone around, out of range of whatever the Japanese had, and let them sit there until the war was over. Then, after the Japanese surrendered, they could have brought their generals, admirals, and some other officials over on a Japanese ship to tell them the war was over. It was a huge blunder that wasted so many lives and resources. So, again, WHY did the US pursue that course of action?