US Expands Iran Blockade with Task Force Iron Gate as Tehran Drops Missile Limits

The United States has launched Task Force Iron Gate to disrupt Iran's weapons and sanctioned materials movement across land borders and the Caspian Sea, while Tehran lifted its ballistic missile range restrictions, escalating tensions between the two nations. The new CENTCOM operation, announced Saturday, expands pressure beyond the existing naval blockade, which Washington claims has prevented over $25 billion in Iranian crude oil exports. Iraq confirmed the US formally requested closing all but two border crossings with Iran, though Baghdad hasn't agreed. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the previous 2,000km missile range limit no longer applies, following reports of an attempted strike on Diego Garcia. Diplomatic efforts continue through Qatar, while US embassies issued security alerts across the Middle East amid concerns of potential escalation.