Iran Threatens to Target US-Owned Data Centres and AI Facilities if War Resumes
Iran has warned that data centres, artificial intelligence (AI) facilities and other technology infrastructure linked to the United States in the Middle East could become targets if Washington launches further attacks on Tehran.
The warning was made by Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, while speaking to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, Al Arabiya reported on Friday (23 October 2026).
Rezaei said US-linked technology infrastructure in the region, estimated to be worth more than US$2 trillion, could be at risk if fighting resumes.
“The lifeblood of the American economy in this region runs through our territory,” Rezaei said, referring to major US investments in data centres and other facilities across the Middle East.
“So far, we have not included these assets on our list of targets,” he said.
“But if war breaks out, many of the cables, data centres, AI facilities and various other sites will be destroyed,” Rezaei warned.
His remarks suggest Iran could expand its list of retaliatory targets to include critical technology and communications infrastructure if a full-scale conflict with the US resumes.
Earlier, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Hossein Mohebbi warned that Tehran would reveal new targets and weapons as the conflict with the US dragged on. Mohebbi referred to major undersea internet cables running through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Seven major internet cables run beneath the Strait of Hormuz,” IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said, according to Anadolu Agency on Tuesday (20 October).
Mohebbi did not explicitly say that Iran would attack the undersea cables. However, he claimed that all internet and commercial data traffic passed through the strategic waterway.
“We just want them to know that new targets will be revealed. New weapons will also be introduced,” he said, reiterating Iran’s determination to remove what he called the remnants of US power from the region.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday (22 October) that “something is going to happen soon” as he discussed the war with Iran. His remarks came amid fears that tensions between the two countries could rise again.
Trump said he did not believe the US was currently negotiating with Iran, referring to diplomatic efforts between the two countries that have reached an impasse.
“I don’t think we’re negotiating,” Trump told reporters when asked about the status of talks with Iran.
“Something is going to happen soon, one way or another. Most people think it will happen after the election, so we’ll see,” the US president said, without elaborating.
“We’re in a very strong position, both militarily and financially, when it comes to Iran,” he added.