CENTCOM orders team for Iran’s land and Caspian routes

U.S. Central Command has ordered the establishment of Task Force Iron Gate, a planned team of approximately 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida. Adm. Brad Cooper directed its establishment Nov. 7, 2026, CENTCOM said.

CENTCOM says the team will coordinate with other U.S. government agencies to prevent movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea. The announcement describes a coordination plan, not completed interdictions; it gives no operational start date or list of participating agencies.

The stated land-and-Caspian focus adds to CENTCOM’s existing maritime pressure effort, but the command’s oil figure is not a result of Iron Gate. CENTCOM claimed its naval blockade had prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil. Reuters and The Washington Post attributed the estimate to the command and did not independently verify it.

CENTCOM’s description does not say ordinary commercial traffic will be halted.