In the past couple of days, there has been a news story that really makes one feel anxious.

The two large cargo ships under China COSCO Shipping, the "COSCO Northern Arctic" and the "COSCO Indian Ocean", were originally heading boldly towards the Strait of Hormuz, but just as they were about to arrive, they suddenly made a big turn and headed back to the Persian Gulf.

Meanwhile, neighboring Thailand, Pakistan, and Malaysia were holding a press conference, smiling and saying, "We have reached an agreement with Iran, our ships can pass."

In contrast, many friends might be like me, with a thousand questions popping up in their minds: Didn’t they say we are a “friendly country”? Why is this “pass” not working for us? What’s really going on behind this?

Today, we won’t discuss the official rhetoric; let’s sit down and chat objectively about the intricacies involved.

This “pass” is actually a “toll station”.

First of all, everyone needs to clarify one reality: the current Strait of Hormuz is no longer the free navigation channel we used to understand.

Previously, it was international waters, and everyone could move freely. Now the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is there “watching the scene”. Foreign media reports say that Iran has implemented a strict control system; any ship wanting to pass must first submit documents, apply for a “pass code”, and then be escorted by Iranian tugboats or pilot boats along a designated route.

In simple terms, this is a wartime “toll station”. As long as Iran deems you a “non-hostile” country’s ship, you must pay the “toll” (regardless of whether it is nominal or has substantial conditions) to be allowed to pass.

Thus, Thailand and Pakistan can pass because they have made transactions and guarantees with Iran.

Look at Pakistan; the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister personally stepped in to communicate with Iran, and in the end, Iran agreed to allow two Pakistani ships to pass daily. This is a typical example of a “government-to-government agreement” resulting in the right to pass.

What about us? Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been actively working, calling for a ceasefire and maintaining communication, it is evident that this mechanism of “cutting in line” or “special approval” may not have fully covered our two ships that are about to break through.

A brief overview leaves no room for deeper discussion.