Iran Threatens Gulf Technology Firms, Announces Plans for Data Authority
By The Media Line Staff
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Gulf governments and investors on Sunday, October 18, against providing financial or logistical support to artificial intelligence companies that Tehran accuses of assisting military operations, threatening unspecified enforcement measures and announcing plans for a regional data authority.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf said a new “Persian Gulf Data Authority” was coming and urged governments, investment funds, and businesses to withhold financing, land, energy, and other resources from companies allegedly supporting military attacks.
“Assist them and face our enforcement,” he warned.
Ghalibaf did not identify specific companies, explain the proposed authority’s powers, or clarify how Iran could enforce restrictions on businesses operating outside its territory.
His warning followed comments by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who said earlier this month that regional data centers, artificial intelligence facilities, and undersea communications cables could become targets if fighting with the US and Israel intensified.
Rezaei identified American-linked technology infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates and around the Strait of Hormuz as potentially vulnerable, placing its value at more than $2 trillion. That estimate has not been independently verified.
The threats have raised concerns about the Gulf’s expanding technology industry. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing heavily in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data centers, frequently partnering with American technology companies.
In March, drone strikes damaged two Amazon Web Services facilities in the UAE, while another strike near company infrastructure in Bahrain disrupted operations. The attacks occurred during the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and Tehran’s regional retaliation.
Undersea fiber-optic cables crossing the Red Sea carry much of the data traffic between Europe and Asia, making them especially sensitive to disruption. Damage could affect banking, telecommunications, and other essential services across multiple countries.
The latest warning comes as negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain stalled over ending their conflict and fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has demanded sanctions relief and an end to American restrictions, while the US continues pressing Tehran over its nuclear program.
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