Iran threatens ‘Stargate’ AI data centers

Iran has issued a grave warning regarding potential strikes on data centers throughout the Middle East, following a series of threats and airstrikes from the United States. The Iranian military has stated that if the U.S. proceeds with its plans to target civilian infrastructure, Iran will respond with attacks on American energy and technology assets in the region. In a video released late last week and widely shared on Sunday, Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari showcased a globe that zoomed in on the Stargate data center located in the United Arab Emirates. The message conveyed ominously suggested that 'nothing stays hidden to our sight, though hidden by Google.' Stargate, a $500 billion project formed by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle, aims to develop AI data centers and was announced in January 2025. Despite initial challenges related to funding and tariffs, the venture seeks to expand its international footprint. This latest warning follows remarks from U.S. President Trump, who threatened to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including power and water facilities, if the country does not reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz. This crucial shipping route has been significantly affected since the outbreak of hostilities in February. Several data centers in the region have already experienced missile strikes amid the ongoing conflict, including attacks on Amazon Web Services (AWS) facilities in Bahrain and an Oracle center in Dubai. Furthermore, Iran has specifically named tech companies such as Nvidia and Apple in its recent threats.