U.S. Central Command creates Task Force Iron Gate to curb Iranian weapons and revenue flows
CENTCOM announced a new task force based in Tampa that will work with other U.S. agencies to block the movement of weapons, dual-use items and illicit revenues linked to Iran.
The U.S. Central Command said on Saturday it will stand up Task Force Iron Gate, a unit of about 20 civilian and military staff headquartered in Tampa, Florida. The task force will coordinate with other U.S. government agencies to monitor and interdict the transfer of advanced weapons systems, dual-use goods and illegal revenue streams across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.
"Strengthening CENTCOM’s collaboration with US interagency partners will further constrain Iran’s ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish its military," Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of Central Command, said in a statement.
CENTCOM estimates that its naval blockade has stopped Iran from exporting more than $25 billion of crude oil, a loss it says would have funded proxy terror groups, criminal networks and attacks on U.S. allies.