Yeah, I'm sure Iran's desire to destroy Israel was based on whether or not we made this port deal. I don't know if you've heard, but we have this gigantic base in Baghdad and nuclear subs that don't have to be parked in Dubai to hit Tehran.
You said -- "Yeah, I'm sure Iran's desire to destroy Israel was based on whether or not we made this port deal."
Iran getting the bomb or not depends solely on our ability to stop them. That's all. Nothing more.
Taking the UAE out of the picture (as far as our presence there) will limit that ability. That's the point of having the UAE.
Take a look at the map and see where the UAE is relation to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran said they were going to "shut down". Then you'll see the extreme advantage of having a presence *exactly there*.
In addition, we're not *fighting* inside the borders of the UAE. Our position is pretty safe there. However, we *are fighting* (to this day) inside of Iraq and still have plenty of enemies that are blowing up our soldiers. Of the two places to be (and to be based), the UAE is much better and safer and doesn't distract our military from their present situation of fighting the enemy directly and in front of their faces (as in Iraq) -- versus -- having a secure staging area and no worries about fighting an enemy right in front of you (as in the UAE).
And if that wasn't enough, you also have another position and side to launch attacks upon Iran, besides from within Iraq. We're tied down in Iraq whereas we're not tied down in the UAE.
Regards,
Star Traveler