Trump Says Iron Gate Task Force Is Operating at Full Strength

U.S. President Donald Trump said on November 8 that Task Force Iron Gate was operating at full strength against Iran, a day after U.S. Central Command announced its creation. Trump linked the initiative to the U.S. naval blockade and said very little was entering or leaving Iran. The assessment of its effectiveness was his own. Trump said: “Task Force Iron Gate is in full force and effect in the Islamic Republic of Iran.” CENTCOM’s November 7 announcement described the task force as an internal staff of approximately 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida. Adm. Brad Cooper, the command’s commander, directed its establishment to coordinate work with other U.S. government agencies against illicit transit across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea. CENTCOM identified advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue streams as the task force’s targets. It said closer cooperation between agencies would constrain Iran’s ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories and replenish its military. Cooper described the initiative as reinforcing the naval blockade. According to CENTCOM, that blockade had prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil in recent months. The command said strict maritime enforcement was continuing against ships entering or departing Iranian ports.