US Government Confirms Use of Elon Musk’s Grok in Military Operations Against Iran

The United States government has revealed that Grok, an artificial intelligence tool developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, was used in military operations against Iran. The disclosure came through a legal briefing submitted by the US Department of Justice on June 15.

The legal document was part of a case involving xAI’s large data center and the gas turbines that provide power to its operations. The company is currently facing an environmental lawsuit filed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The lawsuit claims that xAI has been operating dozens of turbines without proper permits, violating environmental regulations and affecting nearby communities.

While defending xAI in court, federal prosecutors argued that shutting down the turbines could harm America’s national security. According to the government, the data center supports artificial intelligence systems that are important for military operations.

US Government Confirms Use of Elon Musk’s Grok in Military Operations Against Iran

The court filing included testimony from Cameron Stanley, the Pentagon’s chief official for artificial intelligence. Stanley stated that Grok is already being used within Project Maven, a military program that uses AI to assist with identifying and targeting threats. Project Maven originally relied on Claude, an AI model that Anthropic developed.

According to Stanley’s testimony, the program’s Maven Smart Systems helped US forces carry out more than 2,000 strikes on separate targets within a period of just 96 hours during an operation called “Epic Fury.” He praised the capabilities of Grok and said that its government-focused version, known as the Grok Gov Model, significantly improved operational efficiency.

The revelation highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare. Governments around the world are increasingly exploring how AI can support military planning, surveillance, and targeting. However, the use of AI in combat operations continues to raise ethical and legal concerns.

See Also: Hackers Can Abuse Copilot and Grok as Invisible AI Malware Channels: Check Point Research

Earlier this year, the US government reportedly ended its contracts with Anthropic after the company refused to allow the use of its AI systems for fully automated military strikes or large-scale surveillance of American citizens. Following this decision, the Pentagon turned to other technology companies, including Google, OpenAI, and xAI, for AI support.

The military’s increasing use of AI has also sparked concerns within the technology industry. At Google, hundreds of employees have previously expressed opposition to providing AI tools for classified military projects. Critics argue that AI could increase the risk of mistakes in warfare and reduce human oversight in critical decisions.

Meanwhile, xAI maintains that the turbines at the center of the lawsuit are temporary and mobile, meaning they should not require the permits demanded by environmental groups.

The disclosure about Grok’s military use marks another major step in the relationship between artificial intelligence and national defense. As AI technology continues to advance, debates over its role in warfare, public safety, and ethics are likely to become even more important in the years ahead.