Iran Declares Apple, Google, Microsoft "Legitimate Targets" Amid Escalating Conflict

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a significant shift in its strategy, declaring that it is now targeting server farms, corporate offices, and the technological empires of some of the world's most prominent companies.

In a direct statement, the IRGC designated 18 global entities as 'legitimate targets,' explicitly naming Apple, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, Palantir, Oracle, IBM, Intel, Cisco, HP, Dell, Boeing, Tesla, GE, J.P. Morgan Chase, Spire Solution, and G42 – an AI company based in the United Arab Emirates.

Following this declaration, employees of these designated companies reportedly received urgent orders to evacuate. A similar warning was issued to residents living within a one-kilometer radius of any of these offices.

A Telegram post from the IRGC, originally written in Farsi, conveyed the severity of their stance: "We will target American technology companies for every assassination in Iran. You have ignored our repeated warnings to cease terrorist operations. Henceforth, the main institutions effective in terrorist operations will be our legitimate targets."

Iran's justification for these actions hinges on its argument that these companies are not merely tech firms, but rather represent the "invisible backbone of the war being waged against it." The IRGC provided specific examples to bolster its claim:

• Amazon and Google reportedly hold a $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli government.
• Microsoft is said to grant Israel unlimited access to its artificial intelligence infrastructure.
• Palantir's CEO has openly acknowledged the company's involvement in military targeting operations.
• Oracle recently secured an $88 million contract with the U.S. Air Force.

The IRGC has previously demonstrated its capacity to act on threats, having reportedly struck three Amazon data centers across the UAE and Bahrain in the initial stages of the conflict. Despite the declared deadline of April 1st, none of the 18 companies publicly targeted have issued any statements regarding the situation.