iran is thinking exactly the same thing - they want to put it in their custody. and they have an advantage regarding proximity to the region. we don't have enough forces in the region, everyone thinks we have this "big force" in iraq, so we are OK. but we've moved alot of combat aircraft out of the regional bases.
What are we doing in dubai? There's also a deep water port in pakistan, I believe we have access to. Both right at the straits.