Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on July 21, 2026, it launched cruise missile strikes against an Amazon AWS data center in Bahrain, saying the attack destroyed the facility as retaliation for repeated US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites over multiple days [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. The IRGC called the operation "Nasr 2," targeting what it described as a critical US military communications hub storing regional and military data [4, 7, 8]. An Iranian military statement said, "The Bahrain Amazon data center is one of the key US military information exchange sites. We destroyed the facility" [4]. The IRGC also reported drone attacks on US military camps in Doha, Kuwait, specifically targeting ammunition depots and ground forces command logistics equipment [4, 5].
US and Bahraini authorities and Amazon have not confirmed any damage or disruption at the AWS data center, and no independent sources have verified the IRGC's claims [6, 7, 8]. Some sources suggest the IRGC's account may be intended as wartime propaganda to justify their strikes [6, 8].
During this period, US forces conducted 11 consecutive nights of airstrikes on Iranian military targets in cities including Bushehr and Tabriz, aiming to reduce Iran's threat to the Strait of Hormuz; no casualties were reported in those strikes [4, 5, 6, 7]. The IRGC claimed it also hit radar facilities and an F-15 fighter jet at a US base in Jordan during these operations, though this remains unconfirmed [6].
The US has increased troop deployments and shifted combat aircraft to the Middle East amid the escalating conflict [6, 7]. The ongoing exchange of attacks has raised concerns about the impact on critical financial and digital infrastructure in the region, including banking services, telecommunications, and cloud computing platforms [7, 8].
The successive strikes and counterattacks reflect a growing military confrontation between Iran and US forces in the Gulf region. The IRGC described the strikes as "wave 24" of their "Nasr 2" operation, aimed specifically at retaliating for US attacks on the Dar Khwan nuclear facility under construction [7].
US and allied responses to these claims are still pending, with investigations ongoing into the extent of any infrastructure damage. Monitoring of regional infrastructure stability continues amid the heightened military tensions.
