Iran Threatens Gulf Oil Facilities and AI Hubs in Retaliation
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Iran has threatened to strike oil facilities and AI infrastructure in up to seven Gulf states if attacked by Israel and the US. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned that economic infrastructure would be targeted in retaliation for any new hostilities. The threat expands potential targets beyond military sites amid speculation of renewed US-Israeli strikes. The potential consequences could disrupt global digital communications and economic exchanges.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Iran threatened to target oil facilities and AI infrastructure in up to seven Gulf states if attacked.
- Mohsen Rezaei stated Iran would retaliate against economic infrastructure in case of new hostilities.
- The threat expands potential targets beyond military sites, including data centers and underwater cables.
- The warning follows speculation of a potential new US-Israeli military operation against Iran.
- Tensions are high in the Strait of Hormuz, with increased US military presence.
- Diplomatic talks continue, with Iran proposing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has warned that a new Israeli-American attack could trigger an unprecedented response in the Persian Gulf, potentially targeting the oil facilities, underwater cables, data centers, and artificial intelligence infrastructure of up to seven Gulf states. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that Tehran would no longer exempt regional economic infrastructure from conflict, arguing Iran cannot accept its own resources being attacked while its adversaries' economies remain untouched. This threat broadens Iran's potential targets beyond solely American and Israeli military installations.
The warning comes amid speculation about renewed US and Israeli strikes against Iran. Iranian official Mehdi Mohammadi, an advisor to former negotiator Mohammad Ghalibaf, claimed that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed in principle on a new military operation, though this has not been confirmed by US or Israeli authorities. Mohammadi asserted that Iran views a third military confrontation in two years as an existential threat and would not impose the same limitations on its targets if hostilities resume.
The potential consequences of such a strategy could extend beyond the oil sector, impacting Gulf economies heavily invested in technological development, including data centers and AI infrastructure. Submarine cables, crucial for international digital communications, could also be damaged, disrupting economic exchanges far beyond the Middle East.
These threats emerge amidst heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with the Revolutionary Guard claiming attacks on commercial vessels and Washington increasing its military presence. Despite the verbal escalation, diplomatic discussions continue, with Iran proposing to reopen the Strait and resume nuclear negotiations if US sanctions are lifted. A diplomatic meeting involving European and regional foreign ministers is scheduled for Friday in Istanbul to discuss the crises in Iran, Yemen, and Palestine.
For Gulf countries, the risk is twofold: facing the economic fallout of a new war with Iran and having their own strategic infrastructure become targets.
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