CENTCOM creates task force to disrupt Iran's weapons ground routes

Nov. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Central Command has created a new task force on Iran to prevent the country from using ground routes to move advanced weapons and materials, a press release said.

Task Force Iron Gate includes a staff of about 20 civilian and military personnel in Tampa, Fla. It will coordinate with other U.S. government agencies on preventing the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue streams across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea, the release said Saturday.

The move "reinforces the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea," said Adm. Brad Cooper in a statement. "Strengthening CENTCOM's collaboration with U.S. interagency partners will further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories and replenish their military."

The U.S. military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil, CENTCOM said.