Iran [2] [3] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9], in collaboration with Russia and China, has been identified by Microsoft as actively engaging in online tactics to interfere with the upcoming US presidential election.
Description
Iranian actors have been conducting four distinct operations, including cyber-reconnaissance [5], seeding online personas and websites [5], and potential cyber-attacks against institutions and candidates [5]. These operations aim to amplify existing divisive issues within the US [5], such as racial tensions [5], economic disparities [5], and gender-related issues [5].
Microsoft has highlighted four influence operations conducted by Iran, including the “Sefid Flood” actor impersonating activist groups [5], the “Peach Sandstorm” group compromising a user account in a swing state government [5], the Storm-2035 network engaging US internet users via fake news websites [5], and the “Mint Sandstorm” group run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attempting to log in to accounts of political figures [5]. These operations demonstrate a coordinated effort to influence the US election through various means [5], including intimidation [1] [5], doxxing [5], and phishing attacks [1] [2] [3] [5] [6] [8] [9].
Researchers at Microsoft have also identified websites attributed to an Iranian operation aimed at influencing American voters on both the political left and right [4]. These sites are suspected of using artificial intelligence tools to repurpose content from legitimate US news sources [4]. The group behind these sites is part of a larger Iranian operation that has been active since 2020 [4], targeting audiences in multiple languages [4]. Another group linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted high-ranking officials on a presidential campaign with spear-phishing emails in June [4]. These efforts by Iran and other foreign actors underscore the ongoing threat of election interference and the necessity for enhanced cybersecurity measures to safeguard democratic processes [5].
According to a report by Microsoft [3] [5], Iran is increasing its digital election-meddling efforts [3], including fake news sites [1] [2] [3] [6] [7] [8] [9], propaganda [3], and email phishing attacks against a presidential campaign [3]. The report indicates that Iranian actors have been actively trying to influence the 2024 US election [3], with a focus on swaying voters in key battleground states [3]. Iranian cyberwarriors [3], identified by code names like Sefid Flood and Mint Sandstorm [3], have been involved in hacking email accounts and creating fake news sites to amplify divisions among Americans [3]. The report also mentions specific examples of Iranian meddling [3], such as phishing attacks targeting a senior official of a presidential campaign and attempts to breach the accounts of Trump administration officials [3]. Additionally, Iranian operatives have created fake news websites posing as US-based news organizations with polarizing messaging [3], including anti-Trump stories [3]. The report highlights Iran’s sophisticated foreign malign influence operations [3], which are aimed at undermining candidates who are seen as more likely to increase tension with Tehran [3], such as former President Donald Trump [3]. The Justice Department has been investigating Iranian efforts to meddle in the election [3], including alleged assassination plots in the US [3]. The report provides more detail on Iranian election interference activities than recent briefings by the US intelligence community [3], indicating a growing concern over Iran’s influence operations in the upcoming election [3].
Iran [2] [3] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9], along with Russia and China, is exploiting US political polarization to influence the election. Russia poses the greatest threat in election disinformation [2] [6] [9], while Iran is evolving its tactics to target candidates who have increased tensions with Tehran [2] [6]. Foreign actors are using generative AI technology to create fake images and videos to mislead voters [6] [9]. US intelligence officials warn of false and incendiary claims being spread online ahead of the election [6] [9], with Iran expanding its efforts and China proceeding cautiously for 2024 [2] [6]. Iran’s influence efforts coincide with high tensions between Iran and Israel [2] [6], with Iran covertly supporting American protests over Israel’s actions in Gaza [2] [6]. Groups linked to Iran have a history of seeking to influence US elections [6], including sending emails to Democratic voters in 2020 to intimidate them into voting for Trump [6] [9].
Conclusion
The ongoing threat of election interference by Iran [5], Russia [2] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10], and China highlights the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect democratic processes. Efforts to influence the US election through cyber-attacks [5], fake news sites [1] [2] [3] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10], and propaganda underscore the importance of vigilance and cooperation among government agencies, tech companies, and the public to safeguard the integrity of the electoral system. As foreign actors continue to evolve their tactics and target key battleground states, it is crucial for policymakers to address these challenges proactively and mitigate the impact of malicious influence operations on the democratic process.
References
[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/microsoft-iran-fake-news-election-2024-b2594027.html
[2] https://fortune.com/2024/08/09/iranians-are-creating-fake-news-websites-impersonating-activists-chaos-microsoft/
[3] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/09/iran-meddling-us-presidental-election/74739774007/
[4] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/iran-targeting-us-election-fake-news-sites-cyber-operations-research-rcna165902
[5] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/microsoft-irans-us-election/
[6] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/iran-ramping-up-cyber-activity-apparently-meant-to-influence-u-s-election-microsoft-says
[7] https://www.npr.org/2024/08/09/nx-s1-5069317/iran-interfere-presidential-election-microsoft-report
[8] https://apnews.com/article/iran-russia-china-election-disinformation-hacking-ee65e29b866852b146e75c9f3312a1ae
[9] https://www.voanews.com/a/iran-is-accelerating-cyber-activity-that-appears-meant-to-influence-us-election-microsoft-says-/7735919.html
[10] https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2024/08/09/iran-is-using-hackers-and-online-disinformation-to-interfere-in-us-elections-microsoft-report-says/
