In a significant escalation of tensions, Iran has threatened to launch further attacks on data centers across the Middle East, particularly targeting the 'Stargate' AI initiative. This warning comes in direct response to ongoing threats and military actions from the United States, which has threatened to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure.
The Iranian military spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, stated in a widely circulated video that any U.S. attack on Iran's infrastructure would be met with retaliation aimed at U.S. energy and technology facilities in the region. The video prominently featured an image of a globe zooming into the Stargate data center located in the United Arab Emirates, accompanied by a message asserting that "nothing stays hidden to our sight, though hidden by Google."
The 'Stargate' project represents a massive $500 billion joint venture involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, aimed at constructing AI data centers. Announced in January 2025, the initiative faced initial challenges, including funding issues and tariffs, but has been striving to expand its presence internationally.
The backdrop to this threat is a recent ultimatum issued by U.S. President Trump, who warned Iran that if it does not reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has been a critical chokepoint for global shipping, by Tuesday, the U.S. would retaliate by targeting civilian infrastructures such as power plants and water desalination facilities.
Recent hostilities in the region have already resulted in missile strikes on several data centers. Notably, Iranian missiles have targeted Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers in Bahrain and an Oracle data center in Dubai. Furthermore, Iran has explicitly named tech giants Nvidia and Apple as potential targets in its threats.
The situation remains volatile, with ongoing military operations and heightened rhetoric from both sides. The international community watches closely as the implications of these threats could have far-reaching effects on tech infrastructure and geopolitical stability in the region.
Source: TechCrunch News