Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Tuesday that it will target operations of 18 U.S. companies across the Middle East starting at 8 p.m. Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1, in direct retaliation for what it called 'terror acts' against Iran. The IRGC urged employees of these firms to evacuate their workplaces immediately, stating the companies 'should expect the destruction of their respective units in exchange for each terror act in Iran.'

The targeted companies include major technology and industrial giants such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla, Boeing, Dell Technologies, HP, Cisco, Oracle, Meta, JPMorgan Chase, and General Electric. The IRGC accused tech and AI firms on the list of directly supporting operations against Iran, deeming their regional facilities legitimate targets.

This escalation follows the reported killing of Brigadier General Jamshid Eshaghi, head of budget and financial affairs at Iran's armed forces general staff, in a U.S.-Israeli strike, along with members of his family. Eshaghi had faced U.S. sanctions in 2025 for allegedly facilitating oil shipments to China and funding proxy groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. The threat comes amid Day 32 of the Israel-Iran war, marked by Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities near Isfahan, heavy water plants, steel factories, and arms production sites in Tehran.

The Israeli Defense Forces conducted 230 strikes on Iranian regime infrastructure over the past 24 hours alone, targeting weapons manufacturing capabilities. U.S. involvement has intensified under President Donald Trump, who described ongoing operations as 'total obliteration' aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear program and pursuing regime change. Trump warned Tuesday that the conflict 'won't last much longer' and emphasized preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed this stance, stating Iran's 'new regime' must learn from recent setbacks or face intensified U.S. action. Gas prices in the U.S. have surpassed $4 per gallon amid fears over the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to close.

The IRGC's warning builds on earlier threats issued in mid-March, when it first named up to 15 U.S. companies and urged evacuations from Gulf states like the UAE. No immediate responses from the listed companies or the U.S. government were reported following Tuesday's announcement. Gulf nations have begun evacuating energy facilities in response to prior Iranian warnings.

Pakistan and China proposed a five-point peace plan calling for a ceasefire, talks, and securing shipping lanes, but Trump dismissed prolonged diplomacy, insisting on Iran's capitulation. The conflict has displaced thousands and damaged infrastructure, including a desalination plant on Iran's Qeshm Island.