Iran's Drone Strikes Target UAE Data Centers

0:00On March 7, Iranian forces launched what may be the first delivered strike on a commercial data center during wartime. Early Sunday morning at 4.30 a.m., a drone hit an Amazon Web Services facility in the United Arab Emirates, sparking a fire and cutting power. A second center in the UAE followed soon after, and reports emerged of issues at a third-site in Bahrain from a nearby drone impact. Iran's revolutionary guard claimed the attacks targeted centers, aiding enemy military and intelligence operations. The coordinated hits overwhelmed Amazon's regional network, which couldn't handle multiple outages at once. Millions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi faced daily disruptions on Monday, unable to book rides, order food, or access bank apps on their phones. The strikes pulled the ongoing conflict into the lives of about 11 million residents, mostly foreign nationals, highlighting vulnerabilities in, everyday tech reliance. The UAE has become a prime spot for data centers, thanks to the cheap power, strategic

1:01location for undersea cables, and big investments in AI and cloud. Tech. Deals with the US have boosted this, positioning the region as a global hub amid tensions with rivals like China. Experts warn of escalating risks, for more drone or cyber threats to undersea cable vulnerabilities in areas like the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf states may now need missile defenses and stronger protections to reassure investors and keep their digital ambitions on track.