Iran abandons missile range limit as U.S. launches Task Force Iron Gate
Iran announced it is lifting its 2,000-kilometre ballistic-missile range cap, while U.S. Central Command created Task Force Iron Gate to curb the movement of Iranian weapons and related materials.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it has removed the self-imposed 2,000-kilometre (about 1,240-mile) limit on the range of its ballistic missiles. The announcement came hours after U.S. Central Command unveiled Task Force Iron Gate, an effort aimed at disrupting the flow of advanced Iranian weapons systems, dual-use materials and illicit revenue across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.
"That restriction has been lifted for us," IRGC spokesperson Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohebbi told reporters.
U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper said the new task force would strengthen collaboration with interagency partners to limit Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories and replenish its military.
Senior fellow Behnam Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies noted that the United States could now consider "targeted strikes" against facilitators and increase political and sanctions pressure on bordering states and financial institutions involved in Iran's illicit trade.
Iranian officials dismissed the U.S. initiative as mere rhetoric, stating that Tehran has already coordinated with neighboring countries to withstand additional pressure. Mohebbi added that Iran is developing new weapons and underground missile facilities designed to sustain production during conflict.
The United States has also been urging Iraq to limit border crossings with Iran. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said the Treasury Department has pressed Baghdad to keep only two crossings open, while Iraq has so far closed only the al-Shayeb crossing in the southeast.