TLDR
- Iran’s IRGC released a video on April 3 threatening to destroy the $30B Stargate AI data center in Abu Dhabi
- The threat was conditional on the U.S. striking Iranian power plant facilities
- Stargate is backed by OpenAI, Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, SoftBank, and others
- Debris from an Iranian missile already damaged an Oracle data center in Dubai on April 2
- Stock markets have reacted with mixed results; Nvidia still holds a perfect analyst Smart Score of 10
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to destroy the $30 billion Stargate AI data center being built in Abu Dhabi. The warning came in a video released on April 3, 2026, and was shared by the Tehran Times on X.com.
Iran Threatens "Complete And Utter Annihilation" Of OpenAI's $30BN Stargate Data Center In Abu Dhabi https://t.co/8AHmTa39cg
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) April 5, 2026
The spokesperson, Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaghari, warned that “complete and utter annihilation” would follow if the United States strikes Iranian power infrastructure. The IRGC stated that all U.S.-linked ICT companies in the region would be “legitimate targets.”
The video showed a Google Maps-style zoom into the Stargate facility’s coastal location in the UAE. It then switched to a simulated night-vision view revealing the full layout of the site. The IRGC also included photos of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in the video.
The Stargate project launched in May 2025 under a deal with President Donald Trump. It is designed to be the largest AI data center campus outside the United States.
The project is backed by some of the biggest names in global tech. OpenAI and Microsoft are building the AI systems. Nvidia and SoftBank are supplying chips and funding. Oracle and Cisco are handling cloud and network infrastructure. Abu Dhabi’s MGX is also a core sponsor.
Nearby Tech Infrastructure Already Hit
The threat comes after real damage was already reported in the region. On April 2, 2026, debris from an intercepted Iranian missile struck an Oracle data center in Dubai, damaging the front of the building.
Amazon Web Services also reported power disruptions at one of its regional sites following similar attacks. The UAE Ministry of Defence says it has intercepted more than 500 missiles and 2,100 drones launched from Iran since February 2026.
The Stargate campus itself is still under construction. But the incidents nearby show that tech infrastructure in the UAE is already being affected by the conflict.
The IRGC’s video directly challenged the privacy efforts of Google, claiming “nothing stays hidden from our sight, though hidden by Google.” This was a reference to the facility’s location not being clearly visible on public mapping tools.
How Markets Are Reacting
Despite the direct threat to the project, Nvidia still holds a perfect Smart Score of 10 from analyst consensus. Cisco was the only company in the group whose stock rose over the past month, gaining 0.48%.
Microsoft and Nvidia continue to show strong upside targets in analyst forecasts. Investors appear to be treating the situation as a localized geopolitical event for now.
OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment from Seeking Alpha at the time of reporting.
The most recent confirmed incident remains the April 2 missile debris strike on the Oracle data center in Dubai.
Considering a new stock? You may want to see what’s on our watchlist first.
Our team at Knockout Stocks follows top-performing analysts and market-moving trends to spot potential winners early. We’ve identified five stocks gaining quiet attention that could be worth watching now. Create your free account to unlock the full report and get ongoing stock insights.Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
