The United States is trying to extend its economic pressure campaign against Iran beyond the sea and air, targeting the country’s remaining land-trade routes.
But Iraq, Turkey and Pakistan are resisting Washington’s calls to close border crossings, The New York Times reported.
US officials have spent weeks pressing Iran’s neighbours to shut crossings, the report stated, citing three Iraqi officials and a US official familiar with the discussions.
The effort follows a US naval blockade that has severely restricted Iranian maritime trade and new sanctions that have disrupted much of Iran’s air-transport network.
Get it: Fast, verified news for FREE ... download the Gulf News app — simply click here
'Task Force Iron Gate'
On Saturday, US Central Command announced the creation of Task Force Iron Gate to combat the movement of weapons, sanctioned goods and illicit revenue across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea.
The task force will comprise 20 civilian and military personnel based in Florida.
A US military official told the Times that the team would not conduct military operations.
Instead, they aim to encourage neighbouring countries to deploy their own forces against illicit trade.
According to Iraqi officials cited by the newspaper, Washington asked Baghdad to close all but two of its border crossings with Iran.
