US Central Command (CENTCOM) has set up a new task force to stop Iran moving advanced weapons and other materials across its land borders and the Caspian Sea. The move widens the US blockade beyond Iran's sea routes.
Announcing it on Saturday 7 November, CENTCOM said the aim was "to prevent Iran from using ground routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials", Al Jazeera reports. CENTCOM's commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, said it would reinforce the "ironclad blockade" at sea.
The unit, Task Force Iron Gate, is based in Tampa, Florida, with about 20 civilian and military personnel, according to Kurdistan24. CENTCOM says it will coordinate with other US agencies on "advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal revenue streams".
CENTCOM also says the naval blockade has stopped Iran exporting more than $25bn of crude in recent months. That figure has not been independently checked.
CBS News notes it is unclear whether any military force will be used. Michael Mulroy, a former US defence official, told Al Jazeera that any escalation would likely target economic and infrastructure sites.
Gulf News reports that the US is stepping up pressure on Iraq to shut Iran border routes. Dawn reports that Iraq's foreign minister said outside parties are using Iraqi territory to launch attacks on neighbours.