WANA (Sep 05) – The U.S. Attorney General claimed that “Iranian attacks to influence” U.S. election campaigns have intensified.

 

As the U.S. presidential elections drew closer, Attorney General Merrick Garland made sharp accusations against Iran, China, and Russia, aimed at influencing the U.S. electoral campaigns. He also alleged that Russia is using its information networks to interfere in the elections.

 

Garland, referring to Russia, claimed, “Putin’s inner circle has instructed Russian PR firms to spread misinformation as part of a program to influence the 2024 U.S. elections.” He added that the RT network, collaborating with a Tennessee-based company, produced content favorable to the Russian government.

 

Taking a stance against China, Russia, and Iran, Garland asserted, “We will not stand idle in the face of aggressions and attempts by Russia, China, or any other foreign actor like Iran to interfere in our elections, and we will firmly confront them.”

 

He further issued a warning, without providing specific evidence, that “Iran is increasingly trying to influence the 2024 presidential campaigns.”

 

These accusations come as Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York responded to them previously on August 20. Iran had dismissed the accusations as “baseless” and had called on the U.S. to present any evidence it claims to have.

 

The Iranian mission had also emphasized, “Iran has no intention or motivation to interfere in U.S. elections, and if the U.S. is sincere in its claims, it should provide the necessary evidence.”

 

The U.S. intelligence agencies, without presenting concrete proof, had also accused Iran of hacking Donald Trump’s campaign and attempting to meddle in the U.S. elections. U.S. officials claim the aim of such cyberattacks is to create discord within American society and influence the election results, which Iran views as significant for its national security interests.

 

In a joint statement from the FBI and other U.S. security agencies, they claimed that Iran has escalated its aggressive activities during this election cycle, targeting electoral campaigns through cyberattacks and influence operations.

 

However, the U.S. has yet to provide specific details on how these attacks are linked to Iran or what information, if any, may have been stolen from Trump’s campaign.

 

The statement also alleged that Iran, through social engineering and other tactics, is seeking access to individuals connected to the electoral campaigns of both Democratic and Republican parties.

 

The statement highlighted that similar efforts by Iran and Russia had been observed in previous elections.