U.S. CENTCOM creates Task Force Iron Gate to curb Iran's land routes
CENTCOM announced a new task force aimed at blocking Iran's ground transport of weapons and related materials, expanding the existing naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has formed Task Force Iron Gate to stop Iran from moving advanced weapons, dual-use technologies, sanctioned goods and illicit revenue across its land borders and the Caspian Sea. The task force, based in Tampa, Florida, will work with other U.S. agencies to reinforce the ongoing naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
"Task Force Iron Gate will reinforce the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea," CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said.
Former deputy assistant defence secretary for the Middle East Michael Mulroy told Al Jazeera the unit will identify how weapons and energy supplies enter Iran and seek ways to cut them off. He said any escalation ordered by President Donald Trump would likely target economic and infrastructure sites rather than purely military ones.
CENTCOM also reported disabling a St. Kitts-flagged cargo vessel, M/V Huda, in the Gulf of Oman after directing the crew to abandon the ship. Since July, U.S. forces have redirected 147 commercial vessels that complied and disabled five that refused.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported explosions on Qeshm Island and in the cities of Jask, Sirik and Bandar Abbas. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said two oil tankers hit mines near the Strait of Hormuz, sustaining severe damage.