CENTCOM Stands Up Task Force Iron Gate to Cut Iran's Land-Border and Caspian Supply Routes

On November 7, CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper ordered the establishment of Task Force Iron Gate, a staff of about 20 military and civilian personnel in Tampa that will work with other US agencies to stop advanced weapons, dual-use technology, sanctioned materials and revenue from crossing Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea. Stars and Stripes reported that CENTCOM did not specify how the task force would go about disrupting shipments through alternative routes or if it would coordinate directly with governments along Iran’s borders.

The Institute for National Security Studies situation report says the US naval blockade of Iranian ports has denied Iran more than $25 billion in crude oil exports and has now lasted more than 100 days. The task force extends the blockade campaign recorded in 2026-05-23–iran-war-hormuz-blockade-ceasefire-fragility-58-vessels-centcom-strikes from sea routes to land and Caspian routes. Related: 2026-11-09–trump-says-iran-war-militarily-effectively-over-after-midterm-losses.