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People sit in a cafe outside the Apple Store in Dubai on May 8, 2025.

Iran names US tech, finance firms in new Middle East threat list

Firms listed as potential targets included Oracle, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Meta, IBM, Palantir and Nvidia, while banking giant JPMorgan and UAE-based AI firm G42 were also listed.

Traffic rolls along a main throughfare under a banner with images of past and present leaders that reads in Farsi, "Domino fall", as daily life returns to the streets following nationwide protests, in the Iranian capital Tehran on January 19, 2026. Demonstrations sparked in late December by anger over economic hardship exploded into protests widely seen as the biggest challenge to the Iranian leadership in years. Limited internet access briefly returned in Iran before dropping again, a monitor said January

Analysis

Iran’s longest-ever internet blackout leaves 99% offline: What to know

Facing a historic internet blackout, Iranians are locked in a struggle with authorities to find loopholes to get around this communications crackdown, leading to "shutdowns within a shutdown."

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Latest News

What we know about UAE blocking X accounts accused of misinformation

Attendees take a picture of French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe as he delivers a speech during a visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum on February 10, 2018, on Saadiyat island in the Emirati capital, to launch the French-Emirati "Year of Cultural Dialogue". (Photo by KARIM SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images)

United Arab Emirates

Interview

AI, cybersecurity high on Mideast priorities amid global tech rivalry: Tech Mahindra

A man and woman walk along a promenade overlooking the Burj al-Arab and Dubai skyline on January 4, 2025. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

Mideast’s AI startups capture record $858M in funding during 2025, doubling share

Detailed image of Middle Eastern developer in front of desktop pc monitoring a complex network, ensuring data security and efficient computing using cloud, AI and machine learning.

United Arab Emirates

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

Singapore exchange Crypto.com receives Dubai license in boost to UAE's scene

Cryptocurrency firms are continuing to move to the United Arab Emirates despite regulatory challenges and the market crash.

TikTok

Saudi campaign to boycott TikTok spreads to private sector

Many Saudis are calling for a boycott of the popular social media platform over it allegedly removing pro-Saudi content.

Drones of Abu Dhabi mangroves

Drones can help fight climate change, says Abu Dhabi environment agency

The government department is looking to plant 10 mangroves in Abu Dhabi for every visitor to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai in November.

United Arab Emirates

People attend the International E-Sport Gamers forum "Next World," Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 7, 2022.

Saudi crown prince announces esports ‘world cup’

The move follows significant Saudi investment in both video games and traditional sports.

X Linda Yaccarino

Twitter/X erases thousands of Israel-Hamas posts after EU disinfo warning

The 27-nation bloc has also issued similar ultimatums to Meta and TikTok, imploring the companies to take fake posts about the conflict off their social media platforms.

Israeli food-tech advances as Aleph Farms seeks regulatory nod for cell-based steaks

With a focus on alternative protein products, Israel in recent years has emerged as a key player in the global food-tech industry.

David Rosenberg

David Rosenberg

In Tel Aviv, reporting on business and tech

Huawei

China's Huawei to invest $430M in North African cloud center, developer training

The Chinese tech firm has been increasing its footprint in the Middle East and North Africa.

A man monitors the board at the Stock Exchange Market (Tadawul) bourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 12, 2019.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia fastest growing crypto economy globally amid regional drive

The kingdom led globally with a 12% increase in crypto transaction volume reaching nearly $31 billion from July 2022 through June 2023, according to an industry report released Tuesday.

By Salim A. Essaid

Solar panels used to generate renewable energy at the Sustainability Pavilion during a media tour at the Dubai Expo 2020, a week ahead of its public opening, in the United Arab Emirates.

UAE places technology at top of COP28 agenda in Dubai

The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, UAE Space Agency and COP28 signed an agreement in July to coordinate on technology-focused sustainable solutions ahead of the major climate change conference in Dubai later this year.

United Arab Emirates

Huawei

China’s Huawei opens cloud data center in Riyadh to grow MENA footprint

The Chinese telecoms giant said in February it would invest $400 million in Saudi Arabia's cloud region over the next five years.

Nvidia 1

US denies it had 'blocked' AI chip sales to some Middle Eastern countries

The US Commerce Department was quick to distance itself from the reports — but it did not directly address imposing license restrictions on certain types of chips.

Got Talent Papercup

Middle East offers strong market for AI content dubbing

The region is ripe for translated content as Arabic is widely spoken and there is a strong appetite for digital media due to a young population.