Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued an ultimatum on March 31, naming 18 US technology, finance, and defense companies, including Nvidia, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft, and Tesla, labeling them as "principal conspirators in assassination plans." The IRGC warned that if any Iranian leader is targeted again, these companies' facilities in the Persian Gulf region will be destroyed.
Effective from 8 PM Tehran Time on April 1
The IRGC statement states that starting from Wednesday, April 1, at 8 PM Tehran time, these companies should expect their relevant departments to be destroyed every time an assassination occurs on Iranian soil. "We recommend that employees of these institutions, for their own safety, immediately leave their workplaces," the statement said. The IRGC accused these firms of being more than mere technology companies—they are "designers and trackers of assassination targets," adding that the US government and these tech giants have ignored repeated warnings and must stop actions against senior Iranian officials.
Complete List of 18 Targeted Firms
The named companies span technology, finance, energy, and defense: Nvidia, Apple, Meta, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Tesla, Palantir, Cisco, HP, IBM, Dell, JPMorgan, GE, Spire Solution, G42, and Boeing. Palantir has long-held US defense intelligence contracts, while G42, a UAE-based AI group, is seen by some analysts as an extension of US tech influence in the Middle East.
Trump Escalates Pressure: Diplomatic and Military Fronts
Simultaneously, US President Donald Trump publicly pushed for diplomatic mediation to end the conflict while threatening to intensify joint US-Israeli strikes if Iran does not back down. This "negotiating with a gun on the table" posture has further stirred market concerns over escalating geopolitical tensions. While no direct crypto market reaction has emerged yet, such geopolitical risks often pressure risk assets, and Bitcoin may face near-term volatility.