U.S. launches Task Force Iron Gate to curb Iran's land-border weapons transfers
The U.S. military announced the creation of Task Force Iron Gate, based in Tampa, to target the movement of advanced weapons, dual-use technology and illicit revenue across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.
The U.S. military said on Saturday that it is establishing Task Force Iron Gate to disrupt the flow of advanced weapons, dual-use technologies and other sanctioned material across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea. The task force will be headquartered in Tampa, Florida, and will work with other U.S. government agencies, including the Treasury, State and Justice Departments and the intelligence community, according to a senior military official who spoke anonymously.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said, "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."
The initiative follows a months-long naval blockade that, according to Central Command, has limited Iran's crude oil exports by more than $25 billion. A Reuters investigation earlier this year documented a secret network that moved at least $2 billion in hardware, explosives and heavy-duty trucks into Iran via the Caspian Sea, overland routes from Central Asia and freight flights from China, despite the blockade and Western sanctions.
U.S. officials said the task force aims to curtail these supply channels and the associated illegal revenue streams, adding another layer of pressure on Tehran amid ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran.