Florida: The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday announced the establishment of a task force titled 'Iron Gate' aimed at disrupting Iran's alleged use of ground routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials.
CENCTOM announced the same via a post on its official 'X' account.
The task force, formed under the direction of Admiral Brad Cooper and composed of approximately 20 civilian and military personnel will be based in Tampa, Florida.
https://t.co/xUcO520Enu
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) November 7, 2026
'Iron Gate' to enforce iron-clad blockade
The post detailed that the new task force will co-ordinate with other US agencies to prevent the movement of advanced weapons systems and technologies, among other things, across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.
"The new CENTCOM team will coordinate with other U.S. 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 post read.
CENTCOM further noted that the establishment of the task force reinforced the success of the US naval blockade against Iran.
"Strengthening CENTCOM's collaboration with U.S. interagency partners will further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military," the agency said.
The post claimed that America's naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil.
US blockades on Iran
The announcement outlined two parallel US measures targeting Iranian trade and supply routes. While Task Force Iron Gate will focus on Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea, the existing naval blockade, announced in July, covers Iranian ports along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
According to the details provided by CENTCOM, the naval blockade aims to prevent imports and exports to and from Iran, with the exception of humanitarian aid.
The announcement comes amid statements from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force highlighting its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities, technological developments and military self-reliance.
(With inputs from ANI)
