Iran has issued a stern warning regarding potential attacks on artificial intelligence data centers across the Middle East, specifically targeting the Stargate initiative, in response to escalating military threats from the United States. The Iranian military has made it clear that if the U.S. follows through on its threats to strike Iran’s civilian infrastructure, it will retaliate against U.S. energy and technology facilities in the region.
In a video that circulated widely over the weekend, Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari emphasized the nation’s resolve to defend its interests, stating, “If they attack our civilian infrastructure, we will not hesitate to respond in kind.” This statement underscores the heightened tensions following a series of air strikes attributed to U.S. forces, which have intensified since the onset of the ongoing conflict.
The video presentation included a graphic that zoomed in on the Stargate data center located in the United Arab Emirates, accompanied by the message, “Nothing stays hidden to our sight, though hidden by Google.” The Stargate project is a significant $500 billion collaboration involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, aimed at constructing advanced AI data centers, which was announced in January 2025. Despite initial setbacks related to funding and tariffs, the initiative has been striving to expand its operations internationally.
This latest threat from Iran follows a warning issued by U.S. President Trump, who indicated that military strikes could target Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including essential facilities such as power plants and water desalination plants. Trump’s ultimatum specified that these strikes could occur by the end of Tuesday unless Iran agrees to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that has been under strain since the war began in February.
In recent weeks, several data centers within the region have already faced missile attacks as a consequence of the ongoing conflict. Notably, Iranian missiles have targeted Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers in Bahrain and an Oracle data center located in Dubai. Furthermore, Iran has explicitly threatened major tech companies, including Nvidia and Apple, in relation to their involvement in the region.
The implications of these threats extend beyond simple rhetoric, as the ongoing tensions signal a potential escalation in the conflict between Iran and the United States. The Stargate initiative, with its ambitious goals for AI development and data management, stands at the center of this geopolitical struggle, raising concerns about the security of technological infrastructure in the Middle East.
As the situation develops, stakeholders in the tech industry and international relations will be watching closely to gauge the potential impacts on both regional stability and the broader technological landscape. The stakes are high, and the potential for retaliation could reshape how both nations approach their military and technological engagements moving forward.
Source: TechCrunch News