US targets Iran’s supply routes by land and across the Caspian Sea

The US has set up a new task force to extend economic pressure on Iran to shipments moving across its land borders and the Caspian Sea. The initiative aims to restrict transfers of certain materials and technologies, targeting supply and transit trade routes linked to Iran; however, it is not a military force tasked with physically closing borders.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the formation of the Iron Gate task force on 7 November. The team, which consists of around 20 people, will be stationed at an air base in Tampa, Florida, and will coordinate with other US agencies.

Which shipments are being targeted?

According to CENTCOM, the initiative’s targets include Iranian arms shipments across its land borders and the Caspian Sea, transfers of technology with both civilian and military applications, and the transport of materials subject to unilateral US sanctions. Preventing the movement of funds that the US describes as illegal is also part of the task force’s remit.

Washington began a naval blockade around the Strait of Hormuz on 13 April, following the start of the war against Iran by the US and Israel. The measure prevents ships bound for Iran, or travelling from Iran to other countries, from passing through. The new initiative was put forward after an agreement reached in June through Pakistan could not be implemented.

Neighbouring countries’ stance will determine the limits of enforcement

Iran shares land borders with Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Armenia and Afghanistan. Russia is also connected to Iran via the Caspian Sea. The US has no maritime enforcement presence in the Caspian, making its ability to restrict trade there dependent on cooperation from the countries bordering the sea.

Experts quoted in the source say that tighter controls at some border crossings could divert trade to other routes. The fact that road and rail links pass through different countries also makes it difficult to stop all shipments through a single enforcement corridor.

Russia and China’s refusal to adopt US sanctions, and their continued economic ties with Iran, are also seen as factors limiting the initiative’s scope. Experts assess that it may be possible to block specific shipments and increase supply costs, but cutting off all alternative routes would require broader international cooperation.