Nvidia temporarily closed its Dubai office on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, as tech companies across the Middle East scrambled to protect employees and facilities following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran, according to an internal email from CEO Jensen Huang reviewed by CNBC.
The escalating conflict, triggered by an attack that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has prompted emergency protocols at Amazon, Google, Snap, and other major technology firms with a regional presence. Iran’s retaliatory strikes have targeted U.S. And Israeli bases throughout the Gulf, disrupting civilian life, internet access, and flight routes.
Huang’s memo indicated the company’s crisis management team has been “working around the clock and actively supporting affected employees and their families” in the Middle East, including the approximately 6,000 Nvidia employees based in Israel. Nvidia acquired Israeli company Mellanox in 2019 for $7.13 billion, establishing Israel as its largest research and development base outside of the United States.
Amazon has also shuttered all of its corporate offices in the Middle East and begun assessing its regional sites, which include fulfillment centers, delivery stations, and quick commerce outlets. Dozens of Google employees remain stranded in Dubai after a sales kickoff held last week, according to reports.
The conflict has raised concerns about potential global tech shortages, though Nvidia stated it is “not currently experiencing any supply chain disruptions” and is “managing our supply chain to address changing conditions.” Francisco Jeronimo, a specialist covering the Middle Eastern and European markets for data firm IDC, noted the escalation raised “red flags” for technology companies that have committed “billions of dollars” to the region.
Images authenticated by BBC Verify show the U.S. Consulate building in Dubai in flames after being hit by a drone on Tuesday evening. Attacks have also reportedly targeted the port of Jebel Ali.
The expanding war in the Middle East has added new risks to the trillions of dollars in investments that tech companies have planned in the region, according to the New York Times. Chinese technology firms, which have rapidly expanded across the Middle East, are also facing disruptions to their operations, the South China Morning Post reported.
As of Tuesday morning, Nvidia reported that all employees impacted by the conflict and their immediate families were safe. The BBC reported that tech companies are moving to protect employees and facilities, but no timeline for the reopening of offices has been announced.
