US Launches Effort to Disrupt Land Routes Iran Uses to Ship Arms

The US military said it’s creating a special unit to help block routes Iran uses to transport advanced weapons and other materials.

By Sam Kim

Published: 2026-11-07T22:05:02+08:00

The US military said it’s creating a special unit to help block routes Iran uses to transport advanced weapons and other materials.

US Central Command directed the formation of Task Force Iron Gate, a unit of about 20 internal staff, civilian and military, based in Tampa, Florida, it said in a statement on X on Saturday.

The team will coordinate with other US 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, it said.

“Strengthening Centcom’s collaboration with US interagency partners will further constrain Iran’s ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military,” Admiral Brad Cooper said in the statement.

Cooper said the US naval blockade has prevented Tehran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil in recent months.