Ghalibaf warns regional states against backing AI firms aiding anti-Iran military action

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a post on his account on X that a "Persian Gulf Data Management Authority" is on its way, according to Mehr News. The statement was directed at regional governments, investment funds and companies.

Ghalibaf advised these actors against providing any resources to artificial intelligence or data companies that assist military aggression or are involved in the killing of children. He specified that such support should include no funding, equity, land or energy.

The parliament speaker stressed that anyone who helps such companies will face Iran's coercive action. The post did not name specific companies or states, though the publisher's topic keywords listed the UAE and Kuwait alongside artificial intelligence and the war on Iran.

According to Mehr News, the remarks were carried under the news agency's MNA identifier. The report did not provide further details on the proposed authority's mandate, timeline or membership, nor did it elaborate on the coercive measures referenced.

The statement comes amid ongoing regional tensions involving Iran, in which artificial intelligence and data infrastructure have emerged as areas of concern for Tehran. Ghalibaf's warning signals that Iran intends to treat investment in and support for certain AI and data firms as a matter of regional security.

Mehr News reported the comments without additional attribution or response from the governments, funds or companies addressed.