Iran says it'll attack US tech cos from today, Microsoft, Apple among 18 targets

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have threatened to target major US technology and industrial companies from April 1, in what they describe as retaliation for attacks on Iranian territory, according to state media reports.

The statement named 18 companies, including Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla and Boeing, warning that their regional operations could be hit.

"These companies should expect the destruction of their respective units in exchange for each terror act in Iran, starting from 8 PM Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1st," the IRGC said in its statement. Tehran is two hours behind India, so 8 pm there corresponds to 10 pm in India.

"Since the main element in designing and tracking targets are American and ICT and AI companies from now on, (these) main institutions will be our legitimate targets," it said in a statement relayed by Tasnim news agency.

IRGC also warned employees of these institutions to immediately leave their workplaces to ensure their safety.

Responding to the threats, the White House said the United States is prepared to counter any potential attacks. “The United States military is and was prepared to curtail any attacks by Iran, as evidenced by the 90 per cent drop in ballistic missile and drone attacks by the terrorist regime,” a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

HOW THE US USES AI IN WARFARE

The United States has relied heavily on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support its military operations. These tools are not used in isolation but are part of a intelligence network that combines satellite imagery, surveillance drones, signals intelligence, and real-time data analysis to identify and track potential threats.

At the core of this system is data. US agencies gather vast amounts of information through satellites, intercepted communications, and reconnaissance aircraft. AI systems then help process this data quickly, spotting patterns, movements, or anomalies that human analysts might miss. This allows military planners to build a clearer picture of targets, whether they are weapons sites, command centres, or moving assets.

Tech companies also play a role, though often indirectly. Many provide cloud infrastructure, mapping tools, or AI capabilities that can be adapted for defence purposes.

Another key element is precision targeting. AI-assisted systems help reduce the time between identifying a target and acting on it. In some cases, algorithms can flag high-value targets based on behaviour, location data, or communication links. This speeds up decision-making and enables more targeted strikes.

The US military has reportedly used artificial intelligence during its operation to capture then Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.