#37. Transit Passage.

In another life, the villains seemed legible.

On 4 July 2019,
a frigate detained an Iranian tanker off Gibraltar
at the United States' request.
The Iranians cited piracy.
The British cited Syria.
Both filed the correct paperwork.

A fortnight later, Iran boarded a British vessel
in the strait.
Same procedure.
Reversed objections.

The strait is 34 kilometres at its narrowest.
Two inbound lanes, two out.
Administered.

On 28 February 2026,
the negotiations were active.

A girls' school in Hormozgan was struck at 10:45.

I would topple the north shore government –
and the one whose carrier group sits in Bahrain,
and the one it exists to protect.

In another life
I would have known
which one to cheer for.