US 'Iron Gate' blockade push against Iran meets resistance from Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan: Report

The United States is attempting to extend its economic pressure campaign against Iran to its remaining land-trade routes, but Iraq, Turkey, and Pakistan are resisting Washington's calls to close border crossings, according to The New York Times. US officials have been urging Iran's neighbors to shut these crossings, citing discussions with three Iraqi officials and a US official familiar with the matter.

The effort follows a US naval blockade that has significantly limited Iranian maritime trade and new sanctions that have disrupted much of Iran's air transport network. On Saturday, US Central Command announced the formation of Task Force Iron Gate, a team of 20 civilian and military personnel based in Florida, to combat the movement of weapons, sanctioned goods, and illicit revenue across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.

The task force aims to encourage neighboring countries to deploy their own forces against illicit trade rather than conducting military operations. Iraq has refused to close all but two of its border crossings with Iran, although it has temporarily shut some, while Turkey has largely declined to change its border policies, and Pakistan has intermittently closed crossings due to security concerns and new import procedures.

Border economies and political stability in these countries may be affected by stricter enforcement, emphasizing the importance of cooperation from Iran's neighbors in economic pressure efforts.