US Military: Establishes Special Task Force Aimed at Cutting Off Land Transport Routes Used by Iran to Support Illegal Transportation

November 7 - U.S. Central Command issued a statement on November 7 that the commander of U.S. Central Command ordered the establishment of a task force to support ongoing U.S. government actions to prevent Iran from using land routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials. Admiral Brad Cooper has ordered the formation of "Task Force Iron Gate." Based in Tampa, Florida, the task force consists of approximately 20 civilian and military personnel working as an internal team within Central Command. This new team under Central Command will coordinate with other U.S. government agencies to jointly prevent advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illicit financial flows from passing through Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.

General Cooper stated: "The establishment of Task Force Iron Gate consolidates our success in the ironclad maritime blockade of Iran. Strengthening Central Command's cooperation with partners across U.S. departments will further limit Iran's ability to fund terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish military strength." In recent months, the U.S. maritime blockade has caused Iran to lose more than $25 billion in crude oil exports. The United States continues to impose strict maritime controls on all vessels entering and exiting Iranian ports.