Why Iran is targeting the artificial intelligence infrastructure of Gulf countries

Iran launched drones and missiles against Arab Gulf states, targeting not only energy infrastructure but also critical digital data centers belonging to Amazon, which disrupted online banking, news websites, and app services like Careem.
These attacks marked one of the first instances of military actions targeting the digital ecosystem of Gulf countries, exposing vulnerabilities in their AI infrastructure and economic diversification strategies.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have invested heavily in developing artificial intelligence, aiming to transform the region into a global AI hub due to their strategic location, abundant energy, and access to capital.
The U.S. has deepened diplomatic ties with Gulf countries by promoting economic security and cooperation in AI development, as seen through partnerships with technology companies like Amazon and agreements such as Pax Silica.
Despite the disruption, experts believe that the Gulf’s long-term strategic ambitions to lead in AI will remain unaffected, viewing Iran’s attacks as evidence of the importance of their investments rather than a deterrent.

Why Iran is targeting the artificial intelligence infrastructure of Gulf countries | International