U.S. Central Command forms Task Force Iron Gate amid escalating Iran tensions
CENTCOM announced a new task force to curb Iran's ground transport of advanced weapons, while President Trump said U.S. forces recently disabled an Iranian anti-aircraft system.
U.S. Central Command said on Saturday it has created Task Force Iron Gate, a staff of about 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida, to help prevent Iran from moving advanced weapons, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illicit revenue across its land borders and the Caspian Sea. "Adm. Brad Cooper has directed the formation of Task Force Iron Gate," the CENTCOM statement read, adding that the team will coordinate with other U.S. agencies.
Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, said the new unit reinforces "the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea" and will further limit Tehran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories and replenish its military.
President Donald Trump, when asked about recent missile strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, said the United States conducts "minor strikes" that quickly neutralize targets. "They built a little bit of an anti-aircraft device, and we knocked it out in about 15 minutes, maybe five," he said, without specifying the location of the operation.
Iranian officials responded with a mix of claims and diplomatic outreach. Army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia told IRNA that Iran's armed forces are now "stronger" and more motivated after direct confrontations with the United States and Israel. Meanwhile, Iranian foreign ministry official Araghchi used his Telegram account to note consultations with counterparts from twelve regional countries, urging respect for national sovereignty and warning against foreign intervention.
In Tehran, lawmaker Mahmoud Nabavian called for a reshuffle of the Iranian negotiating team with the United States, citing past failures. Qatar, acting as a mediator, rejected reports that U.S.–Iran talks had collapsed, saying negotiations were ongoing.
Iranian General Hossein Mohebbi claimed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had lifted its self-imposed 1,200-mile missile-range limit, though he did not confirm possession of longer-range missiles. The remarks followed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's call for an "immediate, effective, and unrestricted geographical response" to any threat.