Iran: Struck Oracle and Amazon data centers! Iran's Foreign Minister and Russia's Foreign Minister hold a phone call! International oil prices surge dramatically

The Navy Command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a social media post on April 2 that Iran targeted data centers in the Gulf region belonging to U.S. tech giants Oracle and Amazon, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, respectively.

The report said the action is aimed at destroying an “assassination machine,” and that the actions of U.S. President Trump are forcing the U.S. military to pay a heavy price.

In a statement released on March 31, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it would designate companies and institutions related to 18 U.S. information and communications technology and artificial intelligence enterprises in the Middle East as “lawful targets of attack,” including Cisco, HP, Intel, Oracle, Microsoft, and others.

On the 2nd, the Beik Highway bridge in Beyk, Karaj—described as the highest bridge in the Middle East and an iconic engineering project of Iran—was damaged in an attack by the United States and Israel.

It is understood that this bridge is a flagship project in Iran’s engineering sector and is known as one of the world’s most complex engineering achievements. It belongs to the core road infrastructure of the Tehran–Karaj transportation corridor and was originally planned to begin official operations soon.

The attack damaged the main bridge structure, and the relevant roadway sections have been fully closed. The local government issued an emergency notice calling on the public to avoid the area. The attack also caused a power outage in parts of Karaj.

On the 1st, Trump had threatened to attack Iran’s bridge(s). At the White House, he told the media, “We will strike (Iran’s) bridges—we’ve already struck some—we’re going to strike some more bridges. I already have a few nice bridges (as targets) in my mind.”

On the 2nd, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian? Alraqazi? (Actually: Araghchi) spoke by phone with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to exchange views on the regional and international situation in the context of U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran.

According to information posted by Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media, Araghchi said in the call that the unsafe situation in the Strait of Hormuz was caused by the United States and Israel. Araghchi reiterated that “at present, ships from countries that are not involved in the military aggression against Iran can transit the Strait of Hormuz.”

Araghchi condemned the United States and some countries for putting pressure on Iran in the UN Security Council, and emphasized that any provocative actions would only make the situation more complicated. He said that UN Security Council resolutions on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz do not solve any problem.

Araghchi emphasized Iran’s inherent right to defend its sovereignty, national security, and territorial integrity. He strongly condemned the attacks by the U.S. and Israel on infrastructure such as universities and research centers in Iran, as well as attacks on cultural heritage such as the Eastern Orthodox Church in Tehran. He said these actions openly violate international law and called on UNESCO to respond to these crimes.

In the call, Lavrov reiterated Russia’s position condemning military aggression against Iran, and briefed Araghchi on Russia’s efforts to ease tensions. Lavrov emphasized that all sides must return to diplomatic channels and seek a political solution to the crisis. Russia will put forward proposals and recommendations to ease regional tensions and contain the crisis.

The two foreign ministers agreed to continue consultations and coordination in bilateral, regional, and international areas.

Affected by the situation in the Middle East, international oil futures prices surged significantly. WTI crude rose 11.4%, closing at $111.54 per barrel, for the first time since 2022 above $110 per barrel; Brent crude rose 7.8%.