Regional maritime security challenges cannot be addressed by a single nation or navy, spokesman for the US 5th Fleet, Commander Tim Hawkins, told The National on Thursday.
"No one navy or nation can address regional maritime challenges alone. The region is simply too vast and too dynamic," he said in an email interview.
"This is why we are focused on strengthening partnerships, which are getting stronger each day, and accelerating innovation."
The US 5th Fleet is part of several international partnerships, such as the 10-member International Maritime Security Construct, which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, among others.
Last year, the US-led Combined Maritime Forces seized drugs worth about $500 million — "more than the four previous years combined", according to Cmdr Hawkins.
"This year, we're on track to [seize] the same amount, which means we will have [intercepted] $1 billion worth over a two-year period."
The Naval Forces Central Command (Navcent) earlier said that increased patrols in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea have caused illegal cargo seizures to "skyrocket".
"Last year, we prevented 9,000 illegal weapons from reaching the hands of terrorists and criminals. That’s three times more than the year prior," he said.
In July, Navcent announced it would begin a rewards programme with a maximum of $100,000 for people providing information that leads to the "detection of illegal maritime activity and seizure of illicit cargo" in regional waters.
"When you take 9,000 weapons out of the hands of the people they were destined for, you are making a difference in the region and saving lives," Cmdr Hawkins said.
This month, Centcom said it intercepted a "stateless dhow" from Iran carrying explosive material heading towards Yemen.
"We just stopped more than 70 tonnes of ammonium perchlorate, a powerful oxidiser commonly used to make rocket and missile fuel as well as explosives, from reaching Yemen where it would have led to more violence and instability," he said.
"These facts show we are indeed doing more than ever before, and our full commitment remains."
On Tuesday, Centcom forces said an Iranian-made Shahed series one-way attack drone targeted the Liberian-flagger Pacific Zircon commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman. There were no casualties from the attack.
"Thankfully no one was hurt, but this hasn't always been the case," Cmdr Hawkins said of the incident.
"Destabilising behaviour propagated by Iran and its proxies is the number one threat posed to commercial [shipping] throughout the Middle East," Cmdr Hawkins said.
"This is why the US Navy is fully committed to working with regional partners to safeguard them and deter the type of malign activity that impacted M/V Pacific Zircon."
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Racecard
%3Cp%3E5pm%3A%20Al%20Bateen%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%202%2C200m%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20Al%20Khaleej%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Al%20Nahyan%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Al%20Karamah%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C600m%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20Al%20Salam%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
