US Launches 20-Member Task Force To Choke Land Transit Routes Into Iran

The US military has announced the creation of a 20-member task force composed of civilian and military personnel based in Florida. According to Malay Mail and Free Malaysia Today, the group will coordinate with US government agencies to disrupt land routes into Iran used for shipments of weapons and illicit materials. The task force aims to prevent the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea.

US Central Command chief Brad Cooper stated that the initiative will constrain Iran's ability to replenish its military, rebuild weapons factories, and finance terrorism. These new restrictions expand upon a US naval blockade of Iranian ports during an eight-month war between the two countries. NDTV, Malay Mail, and Free Malaysia Today note that during this conflict, Tehran restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that has choked global energy supplies.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed the US bid will fail and will not cause economic collapse in the Islamic republic. According to Malay Mail, Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebi stated that the United States will be unable to impose the economic blockade it is proposing through various plans.

Brief written by urgent.news from NDTV, Malay Mail, Free Malaysia Today — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.