Several of Iran’s neighbors are resisting pressure from Washington to enforce measures to cut land trade to Iran as the US is seeking to expand the naval blockade to cross-border trade with the Islamic Republic. 

The New York Times reported that Iran’s neighbors, primarily Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan, are increasingly “disgruntled” with the US economic warfare against Iran. Three Iraqi officials and one US official said Washington has been asking Iran’s neighbors for weeks to close their border crossings with Iran.

The countries are concerned that cutting trade with Iran will hurt their economies as much as Tehran’s. Additionally, officials warned that cutting off smuggling and trade routes could provoke “civil insurrection.” 

Iraq has attempted to placate the US by temporarily closing a small number of border crossings, but the move sparked an uproar among local residents.

The reports follow the announcement of a new US task force aimed at ending trade routes to Iran over land and the Caspian Sea. 

On Saturday, Reuters reported that US Central Command (CENTCOM) had established Task Force Iron Gate to disrupt Iranian imports. The task force is based in Tampa, Florida, and will coordinate with other government agencies. 

CENTCOM later announced the task force. “On November 7, the commander of CENTCOM directed the establishment of a task force that will support ongoing US government efforts to prevent Iran from using ground routes to transport advanced weapons and other materials,” a statement said. 

CENTCOM did not explain how the task force will disrupt Iranian trade or whether the effort will involve military operations. The US has attacked ships attempting to reach Iranian ports to enforce the blockade against Iran.