Iran IRGC Targets US Tech Firms Over AI

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning to the United States, vowing to target American companies for "every assassination," according to WANA news agency. The IRGC stated that repeated warnings to cease alleged "terrorist operations" have been ignored, leading to recent attacks that resulted in Iranian casualties.

The corps specifically identified companies operating in information and communications technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) as central to the planning and execution of these operations. These entities are now declared "legitimate targets" for retaliation.

Employees of these designated companies have been urged to evacuate their workplaces immediately for safety. Residents within a one-kilometer radius of affected facilities were also advised to relocate.

The IRGC indicated that companies involved in "terrorist planning" would face reciprocal action for each assassination incident. Among the listed potential targets are major US and international corporations such as Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, Palantir, and Apple.

Retaliatory actions are slated to commence from 8:00 p.m. Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1, targeting operations in response to any further incidents within Iran.

This escalation highlights the growing intersection of AI and cybersecurity in international conflict, with nations increasingly leveraging technology in geopolitical disputes. The situation underscores concerns about Iran's cyber warfare capabilities and the potential impact of sanctions on technology firms.