US forms new Task Force Iron Gate around Iran, targeting land routes and the Caspian Sea

After months of a naval blockade on Iran, the United States has now moved to limit the movement of weapons and sanctioned goods through the country's land borders and the Caspian Sea. To that end, the US military has formed a new unit called Task Force Iron Gate.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the formation of the new task force on Saturday (7 November). Its headquarters will be in Tampa, Florida. The task force, made up of around 20 military and civilian members, will work in coordination with various US government agencies.

The task force's main goal is to stop the flow of advanced weapons, sanctioned equipment and dual-use technology through Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea. It will also work to stop illicit money flows, in Washington's words.

A Reuters report said the new initiative shows the United States looking for alternative ways to increase pressure on Iran. Beyond the naval blockade, Washington wants to bring under control the overland network that supplies weapons and military equipment to the country.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, said in a statement that stronger cooperation between CENTCOM and various government agencies would further limit Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories and restock military equipment.

Reuters reported that since January, Iran has imported at least 2 billion dollars' worth of military equipment using secret networks through Russia, Central Asia and China. A Reuters investigation found that the equipment was brought in by evading sanctions and the naval blockade.

Earlier, the US naval blockade at Iranian ports created a major obstacle for the country's crude oil exports. According to US Central Command's estimate, the blockade has stopped more than 25 billion dollars' worth of crude oil exports from Iran.

Washington believes that although US strikes damaged Iran's conventional military capability, the country still poses a major threat to regional security. With the new task force, the United States is trying to increase pressure further on Iran's military procurement and economic activity.

Once Task Force Iron Gate begins operating, surveillance of Iran's overland supply lines is expected to intensify. Washington believes that closing the land routes alongside the sea routes will make the pressure on Iran more effective.