U.S. Central Command establishes Task Force Iron Gate to target Iranian land routes
The new unit aims to block the movement of advanced weapons and sanctioned materials across Iran's borders and the Caspian Sea, supplementing the existing naval blockade.
By Andrew Bennett ·
United States Central Command announced on Saturday that it is creating a new task force designed to disrupt ground and northern sea routes used by Iran to move advanced weapons and other materials.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of CENTCOM, directed the formation of the group, which has been named Task Force Iron Gate. The unit will focus on preventing the transport of goods across the Islamic Republic's land borders and through the Caspian Sea.
This initiative operates alongside the current U.S. naval blockade. That blockade targets vessel traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Cooper stated that the new task force reinforces the success of the maritime restrictions.
"Strengthening CENTCOM's collaboration with U.S. interagency partners will further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military," Cooper said.
The command reported that Task Force Iron Gate will be staffed by approximately 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida. The team will coordinate with other federal agencies to stop the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal revenue streams.
CENTCOM stated that the ongoing maritime blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion worth of crude oil in recent months. Since the blockade was reinstituted in July, nearly 150 commercial vessels have been redirected. Five ships have been disabled for refusing to comply with orders.
The command also reported that its forces disabled the St. Kitts-flagged M/V Huda in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday. CENTCOM said the vessel attempted to violate the blockade multiple times and ignored warnings. A U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of the ship, disabling it after the crew was directed to abandon targeted spaces. Additionally, CENTCOM forces previously destroyed 10 Iranian commercial oil tankers that were part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' shadow network.
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