Iran’s security chief warns Gulf data centres could be hit in renewed war with US
Mohsen Rezaei says cables, data centres and AI facilities across the Gulf are at risk, as Houthi control of a key Red Sea chokepoint raises fears for regional internet infrastructure.
What to know
- Mohsen Rezaei's warning extends Iran's threat list beyond conventional targets to cables, data centres and AI facilities across the Gulf.
- Houthi control of territory near Bab al-Mandeb threatens cables carrying over 90% of Europe-Asia data capacity, per TeleGeography.
- A June memorandum of understanding paused active Iran-US hostilities, but Hormuz Strait shipping attacks and regional tension persist.
- Analysts frame the warning as deterrence aimed at Gulf governments as much as Washington, following confirmed drone strikes on AWS facilities in the UAE and Bahrain earlier in the conflict.
“What makes Mohsen Rezaei's warning particularly significant is that he is not simply threatening another set of targets”
Andreas Krieg, Senior lecturer in security studies, King's College London · Al Jazeera ↗ · Oct 12
Mohsen Rezaei Iran's security chiefAndreas Krieg Senior lecturer in security studies, King's College LondonHouthis Iran-backed Yemeni armed groupIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Iranian military forceAmazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud provider with Gulf facilities
How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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Security analyst Krieg calls the warning a deterrence signal to Gulf capitals
King's College London's Andreas Krieg said the threat targets a new category of strategic infrastructure linking Gulf economic diversification to American tech power, and is aimed as much at Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Doha as at Washington.
“He is identifying a new category of strategic infrastructure that connects Gulf economic diversification directly to American technological power.”
— Andreas Krieg -
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⚡ NEWS Iran Threatens Gulf Data Centres and Internet Infrastructure Iran has issued warnings that regional cables and data centres could be targeted in retaliation for Houthi allies controlling key internet chokepoints. This threat highlights the vulnerability of the Gulf region's digital infrastructure amid... 📰 https://www…
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Rezaei warns Gulf data centres and AI facilities could be attacked
Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei warned that cables, data centres and AI facilities across the Gulf region could be attacked if war with the United States erupts again, as fierce fighting continues between Yemen's government and the Houthis near Bab al-Mandeb.
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first by Mastodon, 19h ago · also Al Jazeera
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background
Houthis capture Yemeni territory along the Red Sea coastline — Iran-backed Houthi forces took control of territory along Yemen's Red Sea coast, raising concerns about the safety of undersea internet cables linking Europe and Asia that pass through the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
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background
Iran and US sign memorandum of understanding ending active hostilities — Active hostilities between Iran and the US largely ended after a June memorandum of understanding, though attacks on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz have continued.
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IRGC names 17 US firms and AWS confirms drone strikes on its UAE, Bahrain sites — The IRGC named 17 US firms, including Google, Meta and Apple, plus Emirati AI company G42, as potential targets in a Telegram post; AWS said two of its UAE facilities were 'directly struck' by drones and a strike near a Bahrain facility caused physical damage.
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background
IRGC publishes list naming cloud infrastructure as a target — Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the IRGC published a list of 'Iran's new targets' including cloud infrastructure belonging to Google, Microsoft and Oracle in Israel and some Gulf states.