Iran War: Trump Changes Strategy and Announces a New Task Force

CENTCOM announced the creation of Task Force Iron Gate, a team of 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, on the orders of Admiral Brad Cooper. It will work to detect and disrupt land-based transfers of advanced weapons, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illicit revenue to Iran, supplementing the naval blockade launched in July. The US command says the blockade has prevented Iran from selling more than $25 billion in crude oil in recent months. The announcement follows the creation of Task Force Falcon Strike in August and comes a day after the Trump administration offered a $20 million reward; meanwhile, a Revolutionary Guard aerospace spokesman touted Iran’s arms-export capabilities.