The United States has imposed sanctions on two groups linked to Iranian and Russian efforts to target American voters with disinformation ahead of this year’s election. Treasury officials announced the sanctions on Tuesday, alleging that the two organizations sought to stoke divisions among Americans before November’s vote. U.S. intelligence has accused both governments of spreading disinformation, including fake videos, news stories, and social media posts designed to manipulate voters and undermine trust in U.S. elections.
Bradley T. Smith, Treasury’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, stated, “The governments of Iran and Russia have targeted our election processes and institutions and sought to divide the American people through targeted disinformation campaigns.”
The Russian group, the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise, was identified as overseeing the creation, financing, and dissemination of disinformation about American candidates, including deepfake videos created using artificial intelligence. The new sanctions also apply to its director, who authorities say worked closely with Russian military intelligence agents overseeing cyberattacks and sabotage against the West.
Authorities revealed that the center utilized AI to rapidly produce fake videos about American candidates, created fake news websites that appeared legitimate, and even paid U.S. web companies to produce pro-Russian content. On the other hand, the Iranian group, the Cognitive Design Production Center, is a subsidiary of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a designated foreign terrorist organization by the United States. Officials stated that the center has been inciting political tensions in the United States since at least 2023.
U.S. intelligence agencies have pointed fingers at the Iranian government for trying to incite protests in the U.S. over Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Iran has also been accused of hacking into the accounts of several top current and former U.S. officials, including senior members of Donald Trump’s campaign. In the lead-up to the election, U.S. intelligence officials stated that Russia, Iran, and China all aimed to undermine confidence in U.S. democracy. They also concluded that Russia sought to support Trump, who has expressed admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggested reducing funds to Ukraine, and criticized the NATO military alliance.
Conversely, Iran aimed to oppose Trump’s candidacy due to his administration’s actions, such as withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, reimposing sanctions, and ordering the assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Russian and Iranian officials have denied allegations of attempting to influence the outcome of the 2024 election.
A spokesperson for Russia’s embassy in Washington stated, “Russia has not and does not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries.” However, a message left with Iranian officials was not immediately returned.
As the U.S. grapples with foreign entities attempting to interfere in its electoral processes, the government is taking steps to combat disinformation campaigns aimed at manipulating American voters. The sanctions imposed on the Iranian and Russian groups are part of these efforts to safeguard the integrity of U.S. elections and protect the democratic process from external manipulation.
The use of disinformation, deepfake videos, and fake news websites to influence American voters is a serious threat to the foundation of democracy. By targeting U.S. election processes and institutions, foreign actors seek to sow discord among Americans and undermine their trust in the electoral system. These actions not only pose a risk to the integrity of elections but also erode the fabric of American society by fueling division and distrust.
It is essential for the U.S. government to remain vigilant against foreign interference in its electoral processes and take decisive action to hold those responsible for disinformation campaigns accountable. By imposing sanctions on groups linked to Iranian and Russian efforts to target American voters with disinformation, the U.S. is sending a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated and that there will be consequences for those who seek to undermine the democratic process.
As the 2024 election approaches, it is crucial for American citizens to be aware of the threat posed by disinformation campaigns and to critically evaluate the information they consume. By staying informed and vigilant, voters can help protect the integrity of U.S. elections and ensure that their voices are not manipulated by foreign actors seeking to sow discord and division.
