”The establishment of Task Force Iron Gate reinforces the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea,” Centcom chief said (Photo: ANI).
Moving beyond the naval blockade, the US central command on Saturday announced the creation of a special task force to prevent Iran from using land routes and the Caspian Sea to transport advanced weapons, sanctioned materials and other “restricted” goods.
The blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion worth of crude oil in recent months, according to Centcom.
“Task Force Iron Gate” will comprise around 20 civilian and military personnel, according to Centcom commander Admiral Brad Cooper. “The establishment of Task Force Iron Gate reinforces the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea,” Cooper said. It said restrictions remain in place on all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports. “Today, in addition to meeting domestic needs, we have become an exporter of defence equipment and products—a significant achievement for the country,” Mohebbi said. Centcom said the new initiative would support ongoing US government efforts to prevent Iran from using overland routes to move advanced weapons and other materials.
It will operate from Tampa, Florida, and coordinate with other US government agencies to disrupt the movement of weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea.
