Tensions in the Middle East have escalated after Iran issued direct warnings against major US technology companies, including Apple, Microsoft and Google, accusing them of supporting American military operations. In a statement published on 31 March 2026, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said a number of firms would be considered 'legitimate targets' due to their alleged role in providing digital and intelligence-related support.
According to Iranian state-linked outlet PressTV, the IRGC warned that offices and facilities linked to these companies in the region could face reprisals. The statement claimed that technology services, including artificial intelligence and communications infrastructure, had been used to assist US and allied operations.
The warning was accompanied by a message directed at employees, advising them to 'protect their lives' by leaving workplaces linked to the named companies. It also urged residents to avoid areas within one kilometre of such sites. The developments come amid heightened tensions following reported attacks inside Iran, which Tehran attributes to the United States and its allies.
Tech Firms Named in IRGC Warning
The IRGC statement listed a range of companies across the technology and industrial sectors. Alongside Apple, Microsoft and Google, firms such as Meta, Intel, IBM, Oracle and Nvidia were also named. Iranian officials alleged that these companies had provided tools used in surveillance, targeting and communications. The statement described such services as part of what it called 'espionage' activity linked to US operations.
Iran's IRGC issued a warning against 18 American technology companies, among them Microsoft, Apple, Google, Intel, and Boeing, stating that they will be considered legitimate targets in response to terrorist operations carried out by the US and Israel. pic.twitter.com/NcHJZRz4rE
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 31, 2026
PressTV reported that the IRGC characterised these firms as entities connected to a 'warmongering' government, though no independent verification of the specific claims has been provided.
Employee Warnings and Safety Measures
The directive to employees marked one of the most direct elements of the statement. Workers at regional offices and facilities were advised to leave their workplaces, with warnings also extending to surrounding areas.
The one-kilometre exclusion guidance appeared to reference potential risks to infrastructure in the region, though no specific locations or timelines for any action were confirmed beyond general warnings of possible reprisals.
According to the statement, employees and nearby residents were advised to evacuate within a one-kilometer radius, with retaliatory operations set to begin at 8:00 PM Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1.
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 31, 2026
Following the statement, several companies were reported to be reviewing security arrangements for staff in the Middle East. There have been no confirmed attacks on corporate facilities at the time of writing.
Role of Technology in Conflict
The statement reflects growing tensions around the role of private technology companies in modern conflict. Digital infrastructure, including cloud services and data processing systems, has become increasingly integrated into defence and intelligence operations.
Iran's claims focus on the use of such systems in surveillance and targeting. However, companies named in the statement have not publicly confirmed involvement in any specific operations referenced.
The situation highlights the broader challenges faced by multinational firms operating in regions affected by geopolitical tensions, particularly where commercial technology overlaps with government use.
In the statement, the IRGC said that American ICT and AI firms play a central role in designing and executing assassinations, and announced that for every act of terror in Iran, the corresponding facilities of these companies will be struck.
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) March 31, 2026
US Response and Wider Impact
US officials have said that any action against American companies or personnel would be met with a response, though no specific measures have been outlined publicly. The developments have raised concerns about the potential risks to civilian employees and commercial infrastructure in the region. Markets have also reacted to the uncertainty, with attention focused on how the situation may affect global technology operations.
While the IRGC statement signals an escalation in rhetoric, there is currently no confirmation of direct action against the companies named. The situation remains under close observation as tensions continue to evolve.
