U.S. Military: Establishes Special Task Force to Disrupt Iran’s Land-Based Transportation Routes Used to Support Illicit Shipments

On November 7, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, signed an order that day formally establishing Task Force Iron Gate—a specialized unit designed to support current U.S. government efforts to disrupt Iran’s overland transportation of advanced weapons and other materials. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the task force comprises approximately 20 civilian and military personnel and operates as a permanent internal team within CENTCOM. As a newly established CENTCOM entity, Task Force Iron Gate will coordinate closely with other U.S. federal agencies to counter the cross-border flow—via Iran’s land borders and Caspian Sea routes—of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned goods, and illicit financial flows. Admiral Cooper stated: “Task Force Iron Gate extends our prior success in enforcing a firm maritime blockade against Iran. Strengthening collaboration between CENTCOM and our federal agency partners will further constrain Iran’s ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons production facilities, and replenish its military capabilities.” According to U.S. officials, stringent maritime controls imposed on Iranian ports over recent months have cost Iran more than $25 billion in lost crude oil exports; the U.S. continues to enforce comprehensive maritime controls on all vessels entering or departing Iranian ports.