China News Service, November 9 (Wei Chenxi) According to comprehensive foreign media reports, on November 8, local time, US President Trump stated on the social media "Real Social" that the "Iron Gate" task force against Iran was fully launched in Iran.
"With the 'Iron Gate' task force fully operational in Iran, coupled with the largest naval blockade in history, almost nothing can enter or leave Iran," Trump said.
This statement attracted attention from the outside world. What does this U.S. action mean? In the context that negotiations on U.S.-Iran relations are still possible, what signal does Washington’s move send?
The blockade continues to increase: the United States expands the scope of pressure on Iran
Reuters reported that the U.S. Central Command has announced the establishment of the "Iron Gate" task force to strengthen U.S. actions to restrict Iran's access to advanced weapons systems and other sanctioned materials.
According to reports, the task force consists of about 20 civilian and military personnel and is stationed in Tampa, Florida, USA.
The report also stated that this task force will coordinate and cooperate with other U.S. government agencies to prevent the cross-border flow of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technology, sanctioned materials, and "illegal funds" through Iran's land border and the Caspian Sea.
Analysts believe that "Iron Gate" is a coordinated cross-agency operation. The US move is not an isolated action, but an extension of the previous naval blockade of Iraq.
According to data released by the U.S. Central Command, the U.S. naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting more than $25 billion worth of crude oil in recent months. There is no independent data to fully verify its actual impact.
Reuters pointed out that the U.S. military is seeking to further restrict Iran’s transportation of advanced weapons and other sanctioned materials through the land border and the Caspian Sea through a new task force. This also reflects that Washington is still looking for ways to increase pressure on Iran.
Iran quickly rebutted: It is difficult for the United States to cut off Iran’s external ties
Iran responded quickly to the new US measures.
According to Agence France-Presse, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman Hussein Mohbi said that the United States’ attempts to implement an economic blockade through various names and plans will not succeed and cannot force Iran’s economy to collapse.
He also said that the United States is unable to cut off ties between Iran and neighboring countries.
CBS reported on the 8th that the Iranian military dismissed the establishment of the "Iron Gate" task force as a "word game" and expressed disdain for its actual results.
Analysts believe that Iran has land borders and a diversified regional trade network, and maritime blockades and land restrictions face different enforcement difficulties. Especially when it comes to trade and transportation in the Caspian Sea and surrounding countries, how to implement restrictions without affecting normal commercial activities and the interests of third-party countries is still a problem that the United States needs to face.
Al Jazeera quoted Michael Mulroy, the former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Affairs, as saying that one of the tasks of the new task force is to identify the input channels for Iran’s weapons systems and energy transportation methods. He believes that if Trump decides to further escalate the conflict, related economic and infrastructure targets may become targets.
