Tech · Gulf AI warningIran’s Parliament Speaker Threatens Gulf Backers of AI Firms, Plans Data AuthorityAired October 18, 2026 at 11:01 PM UTCWritten October 18, 2026 at 11:03 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Iran's parliament speaker threatened regional backers of AI companies he accuses of0:11helping kill children.0:13His warning reaches beyond technology firms to the governments, investment funds,0:17and businesses supporting them.0:18It explicitly targets their money, land, and energy.0:22What could that threat actually require of businesses across the Gulf?0:25Mohamed Bagr Ghalibaf wants governments and businesses across this region to0:29withhold resources from certain AI and data companies.0:32He announced a forthcoming Persian Gulf Data Authority on October 18, 2026, saying0:38the body is coming.0:39Ghalibaf is the speaker of Iran's parliament, giving the announcement political0:43weight.0:43He directed his demand at governments, funds, and firms that could supply the0:47resources behind technology projects, as well as the companies using those0:51resources.0:52Ghalibaf's warning ends with the words, assist them and face our enforcement.0:58That puts the institutions supporting a technology company within the scope of his1:01threat.1:02He's warning those backers that their assistance could bring consequences for them1:06too.1:06He accuses the AI and data companies in question of aiding invasions or killing1:11children.1:11Those are his allegations.1:13He named no business or project, offered no company-specific evidence, and gave no1:18test for deciding which firms his warning covers.1:20Golibov explicitly names finance, equity, land, and energy.1:25Finance means the money backing a company or project.1:28Equity means an ownership investment.1:30His demand also reaches the sites where facilities could be built and the power1:34needed to keep them running.1:35A financing withdrawal could obstruct a project before construction.1:39An investor could withhold the money needed for expansion.1:42Golibov's demand therefore reaches decisions made outside the technology company1:46itself by the people and institutions supplying what it needs.1:49A land provider or an energy supplier could also obstruct a technology project by1:53withdrawing support for infrastructure providers and customers.1:57That creates potential exposure through ordinary business relationships.2:00The warning itself doesn't change a contract or interrupt a facility's electricity.2:04Golibov described the authority as forthcoming.2:07The English announcement uses the name Persian Gulf Data Authority.2:11Translated versions also call it a data management authority or data organization.2:16Its formal legal identity would need to be settled in a founding document.2:19Golibov hasn't explained what law would let the authority act or how it would2:23enforce his warning.2:25Addressing governments across the Gulf doesn't give the body authority over them.2:28No participating state agreement has been announced.2:31And he gave no launch date or compliance deadline.2:33Irani already has a separate Persian Gulf Strait Authority operating since May 20262:39to regulate maritime transit through Hormuz.2:41The proposed data body concerns a different sector.2:44The maritime authority's existence supplies no legal powers to the institution2:47Golibov now says is coming.2:49Shipping through Hormuz is already sharply reduced.2:52The maritime security agency UKMTO said traffic was about 70% below pre-conflict2:58levels in its October 18 advisory.3:00It also recorded 12 attacks in the week ending October 16th.3:04The Revolutionary Guards claimed two supertankers had hit mines in the strait.3:08UKMTO said that claim had no substantiation.3:11Those maritime developments are separate from Galibov's technology warning and don't3:15demonstrate that the proposed data authority has taken action.3:18Businesses face an explicit political threat while its practical requirements remain3:22undefined.3:23By October 18th, no Gulf government or AI company had publicly responded directly to3:28the proposed authority.3:29No withdrawal of financing, investment, land, or power had been publicly linked to3:34the announcement, and no resulting business loss had been quantified.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗