U.S. Intelligence Accuses Iran of Election Interference

U.S. intelligence agencies have accused Iran of ramping up efforts to interfere in the 2024 presidential election through cyber operations and influence campaigns targeting both major political parties. In a joint statement, the FBI, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) noted that Iranian operatives have attempted to access sensitive information from campaigns, including that of Donald Trump, which was recently hacked. This activity is seen as an attempt by Iran to stoke division and undermine confidence in U.S. democracy, particularly as the Iranian government views this election as critical for its interests. Iran has denied these allegations, branding them as unsubstantiated. Intelligence officials have indicated that such tactics are not new, as both Iran and Russia have conducted similar operations in previous election cycles. The situation remains tense, especially with ongoing conflicts involving Israel and Iran's regional influence.