Iran Threatens Major U.S. Tech Companies With Retaliatory Attacks

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a direct threat against several major U.S. technology companies operating in the Middle East, warning they could become “legitimate targets” following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Companies named in the warning include Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, and Google, along with a broader list of firms with regional infrastructure, offices, or partnerships.

In a message posted on an IRGC-affiliated Telegram channel, the group warned that 18 American companies would be considered targets in retaliation for recent military actions. The message stated that attacks could begin on April 1 and advised employees of the companies to leave workplaces in order to protect their lives.

The list of companies mentioned also included Cisco, HP, Intel, Oracle, IBM, Dell, Palantir, JPMorgan Chase, Tesla, General Electric, Boeing, and UAE-based artificial intelligence firm G42.

The threat follows reported Iranian strikes earlier this month on Amazon Web Services data center infrastructure in the Middle East, which caused outages affecting several apps and digital services in the United Arab Emirates. The incident highlighted the growing vulnerability of digital infrastructure as geopolitical tensions increasingly intersect with global technology operations.

U.S. technology companies have significantly expanded their presence in the Middle East in recent years, particularly as the region becomes a major hub for artificial intelligence infrastructure due to relatively low energy costs, available land, and government investment in data centers and cloud infrastructure.

Following the latest threat, companies have begun reviewing security protocols and monitoring the situation. An Intel spokesperson said the company is taking steps to safeguard employees and facilities in the region, emphasizing that worker safety remains the top priority.

The situation underscores how global technology infrastructure — particularly cloud computing, AI data centers, and semiconductor operations — is increasingly becoming part of geopolitical conflict, as governments recognize the strategic importance of digital infrastructure in economic and national security.