Iron Gate: US launches task force to cut Iran's land supply routes

The US military has launched a special task force called Iron Gate to block Iran's land supply routes, Reuters reported, adding a new front to the naval blockade it has enforced for months.

The task force aims to stop cargo ships crossing the Caspian Sea from Russia, freight planes from China and trucks from Central Asia. It will be based in Tampa, Florida, and will work with other US government agencies, Gulf News reported.

$2 billion through the back door

The goal is to stop weapons and dual-use technology from crossing Iran's borders, according to Reuters. A Reuters investigation found that Iran has brought in about $2 billion in hardware, trucks and explosives since the war began, despite US sanctions.

"Strengthening CENTCOM's collaboration with US interagency partners will further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military," said Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Reuters reported.

The US has blocked more than $25 billion in Iranian crude oil exports, according to Gulf News, but goods are still reaching Iran over land.

Economic targets, not military ones

Michael Mulroy, a former US deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East, told Al Jazeera that Iron Gate would look at how "weapons systems are coming in, how they could potentially be cut off", and how "Iran is transporting its energy".

"Unlike Operation Epic Fury, which primarily focuses on military targets, I think these targets will be focused on economic and infrastructure targets, as part of this comprehensive plan to cut the regime off from its ability to fight and ability to fund itself," Mulroy said.

The naval blockade continues

CENTCOM also reported destroying a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, according to Al Jazeera.

"Enforcement actions since July have resulted in U.S. forces redirecting 147 commercial vessels that complied," CENTCOM said, adding that it had disabled "five merchant ships that refused to comply."