WASHINGTON, 08 Nov. - (ANA) - After a months-long naval blockade on Iran, the US military is setting up a task force to bolster Washington's efforts to restrict Tehran's movement of advanced weapons systems and other sanctioned material across its land borders and the Caspian Sea.

 

The US Central Command will announce the task force later on Saturday, according to a statement seen by Reuters ahead of its release.

 

Task Force Iron Gate, as it will be called, will be based in Tampa, Florida, and will coordinate with other US government agencies. Beyond the movement of weapons, it will also focus on dual-use and illegal revenue streams.

 

"Strengthening CENTCOM’s collaboration with US interagency partners will further constrain Iran’s ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military," Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of Central Command, said in a statement.

 

Central Command estimated that its naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/08 November 2026 - - -