U.S. launches Task Force Iron Gate to curb Iran's land and Caspian Sea weapons flows
The task force, based in Tampa, will coordinate with Treasury, State, and Justice departments and the intelligence community.
The U.S. military said Saturday it is setting up Task Force Iron Gate to stop Tehran from moving advanced weapons and sanctioned materials over its land borders and across the Caspian Sea. The move builds on a months-long U.S. naval blockade of Iran. The task force will be based in Tampa, Florida, and will also work to halt the flow of dual-use technologies and cut off what Washington calls illegal revenue streams. A U.S. military official said coordination is expected to include the Treasury, State, and Justice departments and the intelligence community. A Reuters investigation found Iran created a secret network of military agencies that imported at least $2 billion in hardware, explosives and heavy-duty trucks since January 2025. Central Command estimated the blockade has kept Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil.
The step comes more than eight months after the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran. Mediators have intensified efforts in recent days to end the conflict, amid fears it could reignite after the U.S. midterm elections.
Key points
- Task Force Iron Gate will be based in Tampa and coordinate with other U.S. agencies.
- Central Command says the naval blockade has kept more than $25 billion in Iranian crude from being exported.
- A Reuters investigation found at least $2 billion in military imports since January 2025.
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