IRAN INSTALLS MISSILE - PROGRAM VETERAN AS DEFENSE CHIEF , PUTS $2T GULF AI NETWORK IN CROSSHAIRS

What happened: Iran's parliament confirmed Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi, a sanctions-listed missile-program official, as defense minister. The same day, Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary named Gulf AI data centers, undersea cables, and US-linked cloud infrastructure as military targets. Key numbers: Oil flows through the Why it matters: It is the first formal extension of Tehran's war-doctrine targeting to the region's digital backbone, where US hyperscalers have invested hundreds of billions. Akhlaqi warned further US strikes would bring a "surprising and extensive" response.

Iran's parliament confirmed Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi, a sanctions-listed missile-program official, as defense minister. The same day, Iran's Supreme National Security Council secretary named Gulf AI data centers, undersea cables, and US-linked cloud infrastructure as military targets.

It is the first formal extension of Tehran's war-doctrine targeting to the region's digital backbone, where US hyperscalers have invested hundreds of billions. Akhlaqi warned further US strikes would bring a "surprising and extensive" response.