Military agreements, port investments, and competing positions on Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan are drawing the African and Arabian shores of the Red Sea into a single geopolitical arena.
In the letter, the US president described the Memorandum of Understanding as having been violated by Iran following its attacks on commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE Defense Ministry said the country retained its full right to respond and take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security.
"The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade. Iran does not control it," CENTCOM said following its strikes on dozens of Iranian targets.
The allegations came after armed men entered a food distribution point in northern Gaza and assaulted two truck drivers in a UN World Food Programme warehouse.
The last several years have seen a de-escalation between Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia. However, the Houthis appear intent on returning to the conflict.
"During the five-hour mission, CENTCOM forces employed precision munitions against Iranian coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities," it announced.
Initially, the US undertook limited targeted counterstrikes at Iranian assets around Hormuz to convince Iran to back down.
"[Israel] may even use a nuclear bomb. But first it will be surprised by the attack and descend into chaos," Yahya Sinwar wrote in a leaked letter.
There have been no reports of casualties or damage from the apparent missile strikes.
According to a report by FT, the new port would be built in the city of Fujairah, which already has a harbor but lacks the necessary infrastructure to serve as a major export hub.
