The US military has launched a new task force aimed at disrupting Iran’s overland networks used to transport weapons, dual-use technologies and sanctioned materials. US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that Commander Adm. Brad Cooper had directed the creation of Task Force Iron Gate, an internal team of about 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida.
The initiative marks an expansion of Washington’s campaign to curb Tehran’s military supply chains by targeting ground transit routes in addition to existing maritime enforcement.
This will also cover routes across the Caspian Sea, which officials say have become increasingly important for regional logistics. It added that US forces continue strict enforcement against vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. The military did not provide additional details supporting the estimate.
CENTCOM said naval operations have prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion worth of crude oil in recent months.
CENTCOM said the new task force is designed to strengthen coordination between the military and other US government agencies responsible for sanctions enforcement, intelligence and law enforcement. The team will focus on identifying and disrupting Iranian land-based transportation networks that move advanced military equipment and generate revenue through sanctioned trade, according to the command. “The establishment of Task Force Iron Gate reinforces the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea,” Adm. Cooper said in a statement.
