by Thomas Balderston
What has not been accomplished in the war with Iran is closure of entry points. Between Israel and the United States we have obtained a military halt to most of Iran’s ability to attack neighbors and Israel, but not everything. They can still produce and receive weapons, to include drones, export oil and generate revenues. During quiet periods the Country continues to build and receive weaponry to defend itself and attack. Controlling the Strait of Hormuz has been an effective deterrent to ending this war. Control of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters has constrained Iran’s primary bulk oil-export pathway. CENTCOM has stated that the naval blockade has prevented more than $25 billion in Iranian crude oil exports in recent months, with enforcement continuing against ships entering or departing Iranian ports on the Gulf side. Residual pathways remain open via land borders, the Caspian Sea, airports, railroads, and truck routes.
The Ayatollah, its clerics and the IRGC remain more defiant than ever to never surrender, regardless of the the fate of its 90 million residents. They treat survival and continued resistance as victory, incentivizing adherents along the way. Russia and China provide support through entry points that have not been closed, by the Caspian Sea, and airports, railroads, and highways (truck routes). Has Trump left the back door to Iran, including airports, bridges to its 7 neighboring countries and railroad stations, open for a reason? Iran officially controls 91 formal points of entry (PoEs) across its borders. According to international border assessment data tracked by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this total is divided into three primary categories: 45 International airports, 30 land crossings, and 19 blue (maritime) borders (ports).
Many call out for Trump to end this war decisively. But is that possible without troops on the ground, or the use of a nuclear option. The intransigence of the religious zealots in charge and the selfish nature of the controlling agents, to include officers of the IRGC, see success as simply continuing to exist. They have recently been emboldened by the defeat of the MAGA establishment on November 3 and await the new Democrat controlled Congress and Senate to convene, hoping they favor ending the war, and sanctions. Opening the Strait of Hormuz will help gas prices in America and become a claim by the Democrats of aiding pocketbooks and the U.S. economy. What will occur during the lame duck interim?
Trump’s arrogance and belief he is the negotiator above all others, despite the recent reversals, seems to control his emotions and ambitions. He relies on his loyalists and dismisses his critics, to the extent he hears what he wants and proceeds accordingly. Although the people have spoken he sees himself, as if he were on the ticket, as the champion for the people. That may be true, but his style is a turn-off, his demeanor aggravating, even for many Republicans, and he has become his own worst enemy. These next two years may find his coattails more a problem than a benefit for those seeking election in 2028. That goes for Presidential hopefuls as well. The chaotic leadership in Iran is well aware of the turmoil in leadership in America today and will use it to their advantage. That is an opinion that does not necessarily affect our military objective and options at this juncture. So what to do?
The gates to Iran remaining open will enable this terrorist nation and its overseers to continue. If Trump and the Secretary of War are to accomplish anything with the time they have, along with the financial sanctions, and Israel’s goal of self-preservation, the military needs to close critical entrances. Prioritize the highest leverage corridors first, like the Caspian Sea ports and main roadway links through Turkmenistan and Turkey/Iraq. This can all be done while the Iranian regime waits.
Just this month (November) the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched Task Force Iron Gate. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, the 20-person unit expands a long-standing U.S. maritime/naval blockade targeting Iranian trade to include land borders and the Caspian Sea. This according to The Times of India (11/7/2026). According to Middle East Eye the task force coordinates with other U.S. government agencies to monitor, detect, and block the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illicit revenue streams across Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea. Use of troops has not been announced and full isolation would require sustained cooperation from neighbors, including providing intelligence. The goal appears to be further disruption to Iran’s economy and military build-up more than physical occupation or a guaranteed closure. Raise the costs, the risk of rearmament, and hard-currency revenue sources to Iran. Ground support and cooperation from local partners is essential.
Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, told the semi-official Fars News Agency on Sunday (11/8) that Iran has prepared for such efforts and maintains close coordination with neighboring countries. “The Iron Gate plan is merely a wordplay,” Mohebbi said. “The Americans cannot achieve their objectives of imposing severe economic pressure to cause economic collapse in Iran through this approach.”
Neighboring countries need to be considered in this measure against Iran. For the past 50 years (since the ’79 Revolution) Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan has been made aware by Iran of its vile nature against opposition. Iran rarely controls its neighbors through direct military occupation. Instead, it utilizes unconventional hybrid warfare, financial sponsorship, and the “Axis of Resistance” framework to influence domestic politics and security. That has been the case with respect to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza (Palestine), using them as “proxies.” The direct border entities are not afraid or beholden to Iran, as they have their own militaries, yet they are nervous if they show disloyalty or support for Iran’s opposition. The question arises, “will they cooperate” in helping to close the “Gates?”
Just another avenue to pursue in stopping this nuclear minded self-destructive Shia political controlling mix-minded body having diverse handlers and reasons for keeping their seats of power in Iran.