Iran’s Efforts to Create Disruption and Confusion in US Elections

​​​​​​​Iran and Russia have been accused by the United States of interfering in the country’s elections. Cyber attacks on American voter electoral data and the dissemination of fake news to create confusion have been cited as components of this interference.

John Ratcliffe, the coordinator of US security agencies, and Christopher Wray, the director of the FBI, appeared together in a live press conference on Tuesday evening (October 30) to discuss with journalists and the American people the details of “Iran and Russia’s interference in the presidential election.” These elections are scheduled to be held on November 3 (November 13).

According to these two US security officials, Iran has been attempting to send emails containing intimidating messages to voters supporting the Democratic Party in several American states. These emails were sent specifically to voters in Florida and Pennsylvania, two states where there is fierce competition between the two presidential candidates.

The FBI director, pointing out that Iran sent the emails under the false name of the far-right extremist group Proud Boys to cover its tracks, added: “In these emails, voters were asked to vote in favor of Donald Trump, otherwise they would be targeted.”

Data from the electoral lists of various districts was used to send the emails.

The two US security officials did not mention the extent of the breach of electoral data.

Ratcliffe also referred to the release of a video by Iran claiming that fake ballots could be delivered, not only within the United States but also abroad. Regarding “Russia’s interfering activities,” he said that while similar cases have not been seen with this country, “we are confident that Russia, like in 2016, is seeking access to voter data.”

Wray, the FBI director, then stated that “the goal of Iran and Russia’s actions is to create confusion, social unrest, and damage to Donald Trump’s reputation and votes,” describing these actions as “efforts resulting from the frustration of disappointed enemies.”

Assuming the American people that “their votes will remain influential and will be protected,” he asked citizens to obtain their information about elections from reliable sources and relevant authorities in their states.

Iran: The Goal is to Undermine American Voters’ Confidence

In response to the accusation of interfering in the US elections, Iran has in turn accused the United States of interfering in other countries’ elections.

According to IRNA, Alireza Miryousefi, spokesman of Iran’s delegation to the United Nations, said Wednesday evening in response to the statements of two US security officials that the aim of the aforementioned accusations was “to undermine voters’ confidence in the security of American elections.” He said: “The world is witnessing America’s desperate public efforts to question the results of its own presidential election at the highest level.”

Miryousefi added, “These accusations are nothing but another scenario to weaken American voters’ confidence in the security of elections and are baseless.”

This is not the first time that American officials have warned about “the danger of interference by countries such as Iran, Russia, and China in the November 3 presidential election.”

In mid-August, William Evanina, the head of the National Counterintelligence Center, issued a statement saying that Russia, China, and Iran, by disseminating fake news and misinformation, want to influence American voters, increase discord and division, and create a sense of distrust among Americans in the democratic nature of the election process.

Source: DW