Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly issued a warning to 18 major U.S. companies, stating that their regional infrastructure could be targeted over alleged involvement in hostile activities. According to Iranian state media Press TV, the IRGC claims these firms have “assisted US-Israeli operations in Iran by providing espionage services.”
The IRGC warned that the companies' regional "offices in the region will be 'annihilated.'" The blacklist includes major tech and industrial firms such as Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, HP, Intel, IBM, Cisco, Tesla, Nvidia, Oracle, JP Morgan, and Boeing.
Press TV noted the IRGC categorised these organisations as "espionage entities associated with the warmongering government of the United States," claiming their "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.
Following claims that previous diplomatic warnings were ignored, the IRGC said Washington and Tel Aviv continued "terror operations" despite protests. A reported strike earlier this Tuesday allegedly killed several Iranian nationals.
"In response to this terrorist operation, henceforth, the main institutions involved in terrorist activities will be considered legitimate targets," the IRGC stated, urging employees to vacate potential target sites. They advised 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 threat comes amid regional instability, with Tehran reporting dozens of high-ranking political and military figures killed since late February. Iran has vowed to retaliate, extending its targets to private-sector entities it deems influential in these attacks.