[bigfudge]

How has Europe actively hindered the war effort? Not volunteering for demining duties under fire in a very narrow straight, and preferring diplomatic solutions seems eminently sensible, and not at all the same as 'getting closer to Iran'. Why doesn't the US send frigates and destroyers into the straight to open it and escort ships out? The answer is that it's pretty high risk, and not one worth taking (unless you are Trump and looking to save face).

[breppp]

Generally speaking: Spain, Italy, Austria, France and Switzerland prevented the US from using its airbases or airspaces to transit their planes to the Middle East.

The UK at times also blocked use of its air bases.

France probably cut a separate deal with Iran, evident from the release of the French hostages, the call Macron had with the Iranian FM and the fact Iran lets their ship cross

[bigfudge]

At the beginning it was fairly clear to everyone outside the US that this was an illegal war of aggression. That we waited until Iran had struck Israel and gulf countries was at least a fig leaf for the pretence we were doing something reasonable.

What source do you have for French ships being allowed to pass?

[breppp]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd8275jrrko

[bigfudge]

I think you're reading too much into this report. It was one ship that according to the story passed by hugging the French coastline. My memory from a radio report at the time was these ships also passed at night. There's no sense that French ships are consistently getting special treatment.