On 2/4, Tasnim news agency reported an announcement from the Naval Command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stating that its forces had attacked facilities belonging to two American technology companies in the Gulf region. The targets included Amazon's cloud data center in Bahrain and Oracle's facility in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The IRGC claimed these actions were in retaliation for a series of assassinations targeting Iranian leaders.

The IRGC asserted that Amazon's data center in Bahrain "was destroyed," issuing a warning of expanded attacks if assassinations aimed at Iranian leaders do not cease. The force emphasized that it had previously warned it would target American technology companies if such attacks continued.

An oil depot in Muharraq city, Bahrain, hit by an attack on 12/3. *AFP*

Ebrahim Zolfaqari, a spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command, added that the attacks also targeted American steel factories in Abu Dhabi, an aluminum factory in Bahrain, and weapons manufacturing facilities of Israel's Rafael company. He described these as a response to a series of attacks on Iran's steel industry.

However, Dubai officials denied reports that the Oracle data center was attacked. The Financial Times, citing informed sources, revealed that Amazon's cloud computing facility in Bahrain had been damaged in a previous attack. Bahrain's Interior Ministry accused Iran of attacking businesses operating in the country, stating that civil defense forces were deployed to extinguish fires, but did not name the specific company. Amazon, declining to comment on the latest information, had previously stated on 2/3 that two data centers in the UAE and one facility in Bahrain "were affected" by drone attacks.

The escalating conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran risks spreading to technology and economic infrastructure across the Gulf region. On 31/3, the IRGC had threatened to target 17 American companies operating in the area in retaliation for the assassinations of its leaders. The list included major technology companies: Apple, Microsoft, Google, Meta, IBM, HP, Intel, Tesla, Boeing, and financial institution JP Morgan.

Location of Bahrain, Iran, and Gulf countries. *Guardian*

An assessment by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warned that the Iran conflict could have severe economic impacts across the Middle East. It estimated that the GDP of Arab nations in the region could decline by up to 6%.

The report estimated economic losses of 120-194 billion USD due to disruptions in energy flows, trade routes, and financial markets. Around 4 million people risk falling into poverty as energy and food prices rise. Iran's economy itself could face a decline of up to 10%, impacting millions as energy infrastructure and commercial activities stagnate.

Thanh Danh (According to Reuters, AFP, Ynet)