Joe Kent, a former US counter terrorism chief who resigned earlier this year, has accused the US CENTCOM of a “brash provocation” and undermining diplomacy by extending the naval operation to a land blockade. He claimed that it was the military finding ways to bypass the White House."This is CENTCOM inviting Iran to escalate while the Vice President is attempting to negotiate with the Iranians," Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, wrote on X.CENTCOM announced a new task force named “Iron Gate” to “disrupt” Iran’s land supply routes. It will be composed of about 20 civilian and military personnel and will be based in Tampa, Florida. The task force will coordinate with other US agencies to enforce these restrictions."This is, as CENTCOM calls it, ‘policy by CONOP,’ when the military finds a way to subvert the White House without blatantly disobeying the President, by taking actions that will ensure a war escalates or perpetuates," he said."This tactic was implemented over &amp; over again in the War on Terror in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, etc. Many Americans died, needlessly," Kent added.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-aqi-384-diwali-morning-severe-air-pollution-1794113269033">Delhi AQI touches 384 on Diwali morning, 11 monitoring stations record severe air quality</a>He also argued that the debate inside the administration over keeping the blockade or resuming airstrikes, which he called a proposed "Mini Epic Fury," was "an illusion of choice." Enforcing the blockade, he wrote, "keeps our troops in harm's way &amp; risks a shoot-down that would inevitably launch us back into kinetic war." Kent tied his criticism to last week's midterm elections. "The midterm results sent a message that the President should find impossible to ignore: the American people do not support this war. We want out," he said. He urged Trump to "install a new national security team, one that's not tied to starting the war and can instead end it." The announcement comes as mediators work to end the war amid fears it could reignite after the midterms. Iran's Revolutionary Guard has said it lifted a self-imposed 2,000 km limit on its ballistic missile range. Kent resigned in March, saying Iran posed no imminent threat. Trump responded that he had always considered Kent weak on security. The White House has not said whether Trump approved Iron Gate. But the US has previously chosen to attack Iran while there was ongoing diplomacy.

Former US counterterrorism chief Joe Kent has accused CENTCOM of undermining diplomatic efforts with Iran, warning that its naval operation risks reigniting the war.

Joe Kent, a former US counter terrorism chief who resigned earlier this year, has accused the US CENTCOM of a “brash provocation” and undermining diplomacy by extending the naval operation to a land blockade. He claimed that it was the military finding ways to bypass the White House. "This is CENTCOM inviting Iran to escalate while the Vice President is attempting to negotiate with the Iranians," Kent, former director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, wrote on X. CENTCOM announced a new task force named “Iron Gate” to “disrupt” Iran’s land supply routes. It will be composed of about 20 civilian and military personnel and will be based in Tampa, Florida. The task force will coordinate with other US agencies to enforce these restrictions. "This is, as CENTCOM calls it, ‘policy by CONOP,’ when the military finds a way to subvert the White House without blatantly disobeying the President, by taking actions that will ensure a war escalates or perpetuates," he said. "This tactic was implemented over & over again in the War on Terror in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, etc. Many Americans died, needlessly," Kent added. Also Read: Delhi AQI touches 384 on Diwali morning, 11 monitoring stations record severe air quality He also argued that the debate inside the administration over keeping the blockade or resuming airstrikes, which he called a proposed "Mini Epic Fury," was "an illusion of choice." Enforcing the blockade, he wrote, "keeps our troops in harm's way & risks a shoot-down that would inevitably launch us back into kinetic war." Kent tied his criticism to last week's midterm elections. "The midterm results sent a message that the President should find impossible to ignore: the American people do not support this war. We want out," he said. He urged Trump to "install a new national security team, one that's not tied to starting the war and can instead end it." The announcement comes as mediators work to end the war amid fears it could reignite after the midterms. Iran's Revolutionary Guard has said it lifted a self-imposed 2,000 km limit on its ballistic missile range. Kent resigned in March, saying Iran posed no imminent threat. Trump responded that he had always considered Kent weak on security. The White House has not said whether Trump approved Iron Gate. But the US has previously chosen to attack Iran while there was ongoing diplomacy.

Former US counterterrorism chief Joe Kent has accused CENTCOM of undermining diplomatic efforts with Iran, warning that its naval operation risks reigniting the war.

Joe Kent alleges military is bypassing Trump to escalate Iran conflict with Iron Gate

US Central Command directed the creation of a task force on Saturday to help stop Iran from moving advanced weapons and other materials over ground routes. Admiral Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, ordered the formation of Task Force Iron Gate.&nbsp;The unit is an internal staff of about 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa. It will work with other US agencies to stop the movement of advanced weapons, dual-use technology, sanctioned materials and illicit revenue across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.&nbsp;"The establishment of Task Force Iron Gate reinforces the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea," said Cooper. "Strengthening CENTCOM's collaboration with U.S. interagency partners will further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military." The move widens the US pressure campaign beyond the water. It extends enforcement past the existing naval blockade in the Persian Gulf. CENTCOM says that blockade has kept more than $25 billion in Iranian crude oil from reaching export markets in recent months.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-election-national-labour-luxon-hipkins-government-1794059794665">Who will govern New Zealand? National and Labour neck and neck after election</a>&nbsp; As the blockade has tightened, Tehran has leaned more on alternative corridors, including overland transit through neighbouring states and Caspian shipping to Russia and Central Asia. The new task force is meant to deny Iranian logistics networks those alternatives.Cooper described the unit as reinforcing what he called an "ironclad blockade against Iran at sea." CENTCOM said enforcement at sea continues against all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports.&nbsp; The announcement did not name the neighbouring countries whose territory the targeted routes cross, and it did not say whether the task force will conduct interdictions itself.On Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office said that a high-stakes phone call took place with US President Donald Trump. Al-Zaidi conveyed Baghdad’s position during a phone call with President Trump regarding the escalating regional conflict. He reiterated that Iraqi territory must not be used as a military base for offensive operations against neighbouring states. Iraqi leadership maintained that it is not prepared for a broader war with Iran and it would have devastating consequences for the nation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

US CENTCOM has launched Task Force Iron Gate to disrupt Iran's weapons shipments, dual-use technology transfers and illicit revenue across land borders and the Caspian Sea.

US Central Command directed the creation of a task force on Saturday to help stop Iran from moving advanced weapons and other materials over ground routes. Admiral Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, ordered the formation of Task Force Iron Gate. The unit is an internal staff of about 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa. It will work with other US agencies to stop the movement of advanced weapons, dual-use technology, sanctioned materials and illicit revenue across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea. "The establishment of Task Force Iron Gate reinforces the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea," said Cooper. "Strengthening CENTCOM's collaboration with U.S. interagency partners will further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military." The move widens the US pressure campaign beyond the water. It extends enforcement past the existing naval blockade in the Persian Gulf. CENTCOM says that blockade has kept more than $25 billion in Iranian crude oil from reaching export markets in recent months. Also Read: Who will govern New Zealand? National and Labour neck and neck after election As the blockade has tightened, Tehran has leaned more on alternative corridors, including overland transit through neighbouring states and Caspian shipping to Russia and Central Asia. The new task force is meant to deny Iranian logistics networks those alternatives. Cooper described the unit as reinforcing what he called an "ironclad blockade against Iran at sea." CENTCOM said enforcement at sea continues against all ships entering or leaving Iranian ports. The announcement did not name the neighbouring countries whose territory the targeted routes cross, and it did not say whether the task force will conduct interdictions itself. On Friday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office said that a high-stakes phone call took place with US President Donald Trump. Al-Zaidi conveyed Baghdad’s position during a phone call with President Trump regarding the escalating regional conflict. He reiterated that Iraqi territory must not be used as a military base for offensive operations against neighbouring states. Iraqi leadership maintained that it is not prepared for a broader war with Iran and it would have devastating consequences for the nation.

US CENTCOM has launched Task Force Iron Gate to disrupt Iran's weapons shipments, dual-use technology transfers and illicit revenue across land borders and the Caspian Sea.

US opens new front against Iran, 'Iron Gate' targets land routes and Caspian Sea networks

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Joe Kent alleges military is bypassing Trump to escalate Iran conflict with Iron Gate

US escalates Iran war, launches 'Iron Gate' to target land, Caspian Sea networks