CENTCOM sets up “Iron Gate” task force to stop Iran moving weapons across its land borders and the Caspian Sea

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that on November 7 its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, directed the establishment of a task force that will support ongoing US government efforts to prevent Iran from using ground routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials.

According to the statement, the task force, named “Task Force Iron Gate”, is an internal staff of approximately 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida.

CENTCOM said the new team will coordinate with other US government agencies on preventing the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea.

The commander said the formation of the task force would strengthen the naval blockade against Iran. According to CENTCOM, since it was resumed the naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting oil worth more than 25 billion dollars.

On the same day, Iraq’s foreign minister said Washington had asked Baghdad to close its border crossings with Iran. The United States declared a naval blockade of Iranian ports in April this year.

The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest enclosed body of water, bordered by Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran. Iran’s northern coast gives it access to the sea.