The United States Imposes Sanctions on Iranian and Russian Organizations for Meddling in Elections
The United States Government has enacted restrictions against entities in Iran and Russia, alleging they endeavored to meddle in the 2024 American presidential election.
According to the announcement, a subordinate entity of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps and a Russian intelligence agency's Moscow-based subsidiary, along with its chief, aimed to instigate social and political discord and sway the American electorate.
As per the Treasury Department, "The administrations of Iran and Russia have targeted our electoral processes and institutions, attempting to sow discord among the American populace employing targeted disinformation campaigns." stated Bradley T. Smith, acting under secretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence.
"The United States will remain on guard against adversaries seeking to subvert our democracy." added the Treasury's Cognitive Design Production Center, an affiliate organization of the IRGC.
Since at least 2023, says the Treasury Department, this group planned operations aiming to generate social and political tension among the U.S. electorate.
Meanwhile, the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise, headed by Aleksandr Dugin, was reportedly driving and funding the fabrication and dissemination of deepfakes as well as disinformation regarding election candidates.
They utilized AI tools to produce disinformation and disseminated it across an extensive network of websites mimicking legitimate news outlets. Their goal was to create the illusion of corroborating stories and to conceal their Russian origin.
Moreover, the Treasury Department claimed that its Office of Foreign Assets Control, manipulated a video to spread "baseless accusations concerning a 2024 vice-presidential candidate"—though it neglected to specify which candidate.
Following these allegations, the offenders will see their U.S. properties and interests in such properties blocked, with the possibility of potential sanctions against financial institutions and individuals engaging with the sanctioned individuals.
This includes any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
"Today’s sanctions represent an addition to previous U.S. government actions that have hindered Iran's attempt to undermine faith in our democratic institutions and Russia's global influence campaigns and illicit cyber activities." said Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesperson.
"The United States continues to monitor efforts by malicious actors to manipulate or interfere with the integrity of our elections. We remain committed to upholding accountability for state-sponsored actors attempting to weaken public trust in our democratic institutions."
Last summer, cybersecurity company Recorded Future reportedly discovered a Russian-linked influence network utilizing inauthentic websites and AI to influence the election's outcome.
Furthermore, in October, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued a joint warning about election interference, highlighting the imitation of national media outlets such as the Washington Post and Fox News, the creation of fake news sites posing as legitimate media organizations, and the use of paid influencers.
"The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior." the Treasury Department concluded.
In response to the alleged interference in the 2024 American Presidential election, sanctions have been imposed on entities in both Iran and Russia by the United States Treasury Department. According to Bradley T. Smith, the acting under secretary of the Treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence, both Iran and Russia have targeted the U.S. electoral processes and institutions, aiming to sow discord among the American populace using disinformation campaigns.
