Editorial illustration for IRGC threatens OpenAI's Abu Dhabi data center if US attacks its power plants
IRGC Threatens OpenAI Data Center Over US Conflict Risk
IRGC threatens OpenAI's Abu Dhabi data center if US attacks its power plants
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has put a new target on the map. In a short video, the militia warned that any U.S. strike on Iranian power plants could trigger retaliation against a foreign tech installation slated for Abu Dhabi.
The facility in question is OpenAI’s planned data center, part of a broader effort the company calls “Stargate.” The initiative, which the firm values at $500 billion, pulls in heavyweight backers such as Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco and SoftBank. While the announcement has sparked headlines, details remain thin: the exact scale of the Abu Dhabi site and how it fits into the larger $500 billion plan are still unclear. Yet the threat raises questions about the intersection of geopolitics and AI infrastructure, especially as the United States and Iran continue to spar over energy assets.
Here’s the video‑based warning that frames the issue:
A video from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps suggests it will target OpenAI's planned data center if the US attacks its power plants. OpenAI's overarching $500 billion Stargate project includes investments from Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, and SoftBank. It's not clear how much of the Abu Dhabi datacenter is actually finished, as an October 2025 update showed the beginnings of the facilities that will contain 16 gigawatts of compute power.
The update said construction was "well underway" and would meet its target of deploying 200 megawatts in 2026. OpenAI didn't immediately respond to The Verge's request for comment. Along with what appears to be satellite imagery of OpenAI's UAE data center from Google Maps, the IRGC's video also shows a photo of the executives backing the project, which misidentifies Cisco's chief product officer, Jeetu Patel, as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Will the warning deter OpenAI? The IRGC's video, posted on an Iranian state‑backed X account on April 3, threatens “complete and utter annihilation” of US‑linked energy and technology firms if the United States proceeds against Iran’s power plants. OpenAI’s planned Abu Dhabi facility is part of a broader $500 billion Stargate initiative that lists Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco and SoftBank among its backers.
Yet the exact share of the $30 billion figure attributed to the Abu Dhabi site remains unclear. The statement ties the data center’s fate to geopolitical moves rather than technical considerations. Consequently, OpenAI faces a scenario where a non‑military target could become a strategic flashpoint, but how the company will respond is not detailed.
Unclear whether any protective measures are being considered or if the threat will influence the project's timeline. The episode underscores how large‑scale AI infrastructure can intersect with international tensions, leaving stakeholders to watch developments cautiously. For now, the data center’s construction proceeds under heightened scrutiny, and any escalation could reshape the risk calculus for similar ventures.
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Common Questions Answered
What specific threat did the IRGC make against OpenAI's Abu Dhabi data center?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that if the United States attacks Iranian power plants, they would retaliate by targeting OpenAI's planned data center in Abu Dhabi. The IRGC's video, posted on an Iranian state-backed X account, threatened 'complete and utter annihilation' of US-linked energy and technology firms.
What is the scale and investment behind OpenAI's Stargate project in Abu Dhabi?
OpenAI's Stargate project is valued at $500 billion and includes major investments from tech giants like Oracle, Nvidia, Cisco, and SoftBank. The Abu Dhabi data center is part of this initiative, with plans to contain 16 gigawatts of compute power, though the exact investment in the Abu Dhabi site remains unclear.
When was the construction of OpenAI's Abu Dhabi data center first reported?
An October 2025 update showed the initial stages of construction for the data center facilities. At that time, the project was in its early phases, with the beginnings of infrastructure being developed for the planned 16 gigawatts of compute power.