Washington is closing the last gaps. On Saturday, November 7, US Central Command announced the creation of *Task Force Iron Gate* to stop Iran from using ground routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials.

The new unit will be based in Tampa, Florida, with about 20 civilian and military personnel. It will coordinate with other US agencies to block the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal revenue streams across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.

Why now? CENTCOM says its naval blockade has already prevented Iran from exporting more than *$25 billion in crude oil* in recent months. The sea blockade was first imposed on April 13, briefly lifted after the June ceasefire, then reimposed on July 15 after renewed Iranian attacks on tankers.

But US officials say Tehran started using land corridors and Caspian routes to rebuild its weapons factories and finance its network. Admiral Brad Cooper said Iron Gate will "further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military."

Lifting the blockade is one of Iran's conditions to end the war that started on February 28.

Will closing land routes force Iran to negotiate, or will it push the region into a wider war?