CENTCOM Launches Task Force to Disrupt Iran's Land Smuggling Routes

U.S. Central Command announced Saturday that it is creating Task Force Iron Gate to support efforts to stop Iran from moving advanced weapons and other restricted materials through land routes.

Adm. Brad Cooper directed the formation of the team, which CENTCOM described as an internal staff of about 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida. The announcement concerns a coordination staff, not a deployment of ground troops into Iran.

The task force will work with other U.S. government agencies on shipments across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea. Its remit includes advanced weapons systems, dual-use technology, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue streams.

Cooper said the effort would reinforce the naval blockade by strengthening coordination with other agencies. He said the aim was to limit Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories and replenish its military.

CENTCOM said the naval blockade had prevented more than $25 billion in Iranian crude-oil exports in recent months. That figure is the command's assessment. The release did not set out an independent accounting or name specific land shipments intercepted by the new task force.

The command said enforcement at sea continued against ships entering or leaving Iranian ports. Iron Gate adds a land-route coordination effort to that existing campaign.