[US Military: Special Task Force Established to Cut Off Iranian Land Transport Routes for Illicit Smuggling] Golden Finance reports that on November 7, the US Central Command issued a statement announcing the formation of a task force to support ongoing US government actions to prevent Iran from using land routes to transport advanced weapons and other supplies. Admiral Brad Cooper has ordered the formation of Task Force Iron Gate. Based in Tampa, Florida, the task force comprises approximately 20 civilian and military personnel and will operate as an internal team within Central Command. This new team, subordinate to Central Command, will coordinate with other US government agencies to prevent the flow of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illicit funds across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea. General Cooper stated, "The formation of Task Force Iron Gate reinforces the success of our iron-fisted maritime blockade of Iran. Strengthening cooperation between Central Command and partners across the United States will further limit Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish its military." In recent months, the US maritime blockade has resulted in Iran losing over $25 billion in crude oil exports. The United States continues to impose strict maritime controls on all ships entering and leaving Iranian ports.