Iran threatens to attack Google, Oracle and other tech companies but why? We explain

It is not just about oil companies. Or about military installations. As Iran fights a bitter war with the US and Israel, it has now warned that even tech companies in the Gulf region are legitimate targets. The country has issued a warning to big tech companies, saying that their facilities will be attacked if they continue to do what Iran is accusing them of doing. In fact, some tech companies have already been hit. Amazon’s data centres in Bahrain have been hit at least twice and recently Iran said it also targeted Oracle office in Dubai. The Oracle hit has been denied by UAE authorities.

While initially it looked like the hits on tech companies were opportunistic, on March 31 Iran made its intentions clear. In a statement attributed to IRGC, which is part of the Iranian military, the country named 18 tech companies that it would consider legitimate targets. The list included Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Oracle and Cisco among others. The question then is why? What is Iran’s beef with the tech companies?
Well, to start with, IRGC called these companies "spy agencies” involved in operating “terrorist” missions on Iranian soil. It said that these companies "should expect the destruction of their respective units," and advised employees and nearby civilians to evacuate the affected areas.

Why is Iran targeting Google, Oracle and others

When we read the IRGC statement — or rather the statement attributed to IRGC because we can’t be certain of anything in the fog of war — there are some details that emerge. Iran is saying that the tech companies are helping the US and Israeli army in the war, particularly in locating its leaders and army officers. And then these leaders are turning up dead, like IRGC navy chief Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri did a few days ago.

Tech companies are extremely powerful entities. That goes without saying. This is because the amount of data they can collect is significantly more than any other agency or tool can. For example, take your phone. Whether it is an iPhone or Android, it can collect precise location data through a number of means. It also collects details of devices that are in the same place and which might be connected to the same network or might be broadcasting Bluetooth signals. Even when location settings are off, the device can ping location data because of the network it is using.

Then there are apps. WhatsApp, for example, can collect a ton of data that can be used to serve people personalised ads or can be used for fairly extensive surveillance. Most of these apps, or even devices, are banned in sensitive military installations. For example, last year in June the US banned WhatsApp on the phones used by the House of Representatives. Similarly, in June last year, the Iranian government asked people to delete WhatsApp because it claimed that the app was being used by Israel and US intelligence agencies to track Iranians.

In other words, services and devices offered by tech companies can — potentially — be used for surveillance and location tracking of targets.

Are Israel and the US using tech companies to get data on targets?

This is a more complicated question and chances are that no one can offer a watertight answer to this. That tech companies collect extensive data, including location data, is undeniable. But do they share that data with US and Israeli governments, for that there is no confirmation.

But it is also true that tech companies do work with the US intelligence agencies, as well as with Israel. In fact, with Israel many of these companies have extensive business ties. In the last couple of years, we have seen reports again and again how Israel has used services offered by Microsoft to wage its war in Gaza. One report noted that even CEO Satya Nadella was in the loop. The allegations, initially denied by Microsoft, became so difficult to defend that Microsoft in September 2025 ended its contract with Unit 8200 — an Israeli intelligence agency — to provide Azure services.

Now, Iran claims that tech companies are helping the US and Israel in the ongoing war. Currently, the tech companies have not issued any statements on Iran’s allegations. They are staying mum and away from glare. Though they do have made arrangements to minimise harm to their employees and staff in the Gulf region. Some tech companies have initiated work from home for their employees in the region, while some have activated emergency measures to deal with the heightened risk.