Iran war: IRGC threatens 18 US tech, infra companies; fully prepared, says US
US firms listed by IRGC include Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, HP, Intel, IBM, Cisco, Tesla, Nvidia, Oracle, JP Morgan and Boeing, among others
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced that it would target the regional infrastructure of 18 major American companies over their alleged involvement in the US-Israel military operations against the country.
The Iranian state media Press TV reported that the IRGC have alleged that these US companies have actively assisted in the “US-Israeli terror operations inside Iran by providing espionage services.".
The IRGC, in a statement on Tuesday (March 31), warned the tech companies, asking them to prepare for retaliatory strikes, adding that the planned "reprisal attacks starting at 20:00 Iran time on April 1" would be devastating.
It further stated that the regional offices of these companies would be “annihilated” in the retaliatory strikes.
US companies on Iran’s hit list
The list of US companies mentioned by the IRGC includes tech giants Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. The IRGC said that critical hardware and infrastructure providers, including HP, Intel, IBM, and Cisco, alongside other global giants such as Tesla, Nvidia, Oracle, JP Morgan, and Boeing, were also on their hit list.
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According to the Press TV report, the IRGC have dubbed these organisations as "espionage entities associated with the warmongering government of the United States."
The IRGC further alleged that the US firm’s "artificial intelligence (AI) and internet communication technology (ICT) services have been the main elements in designing terror operations and tracing assassination targets by the US and Israel inside Iran."
IRGC’s evacuation warning
“In response to this terrorist operation, henceforth, the main institutions involved in terrorist activities will be considered legitimate targets,” the statement read.
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The force also issued a warning, urging personnel to leave potential targets. “We advise employees of these institutions to immediately leave their workplaces to protect their lives. Residents within a one-kilometre radius of these terrorist companies across all countries in the region are also urged to evacuate and move to safe locations,” the IRGC cautioned.
Rising tensions and retaliation claims
The developments come during heightened regional tensions. Press TV reported that since late February, several senior Iranian political and military figures, along with family members, have been killed in what Tehran describes as ongoing “US-Israeli aggression.”
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Iran has repeatedly “vowed to avenge the assassinations by targeting elements that have been influential in the attacks,” signalling an expanded scope that includes private-sector entities.
The escalatory rhetoric follows claims from Tehran that its previous diplomatic warnings have been ignored. The IRGC asserted that Washington and its allies in Tel Aviv continued to conduct "terror operations" regardless of Iranian protests. This includes a reported targeted strike earlier this Tuesday, which allegedly resulted in the deaths of several Iranian nationals.
US says military is ready to respond
Meanwhile, the Trump administration, responding to threats against American firms such as Apple and Google, said US forces remain ready to counter any escalation.
“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, speaking anonymously, told Reuters.