"Iran's attempt to create chaos and confusion in the US elections"

Iran and Russia have been accused by the United States of interfering in the country's elections. Cyber-hacking of American voters' electoral data and spreading fake news to create confusion have been cited as components of this interference.

John Ratcliffe, the coordinator of US national security agencies, and Christopher Wray, the director of the US Homeland Security Police (FBI), jointly appeared in a live press conference on Tuesday night (October 20) to speak to reporters and the American public about the details of “Iranian and Russian interference in the presidential election.” The election is scheduled to be held on November 3 (November 13).

According to the two US security officials, Iran has been trying to send emails containing intimidating messages to Democratic voters in several US states, particularly to voters in Florida and Pennsylvania, two states where there is a tight race between the two presidential candidates.

The FBI director, pointing out that Iran had sent the emails falsely in the name of the far-right group Proud Boys in order to hide, added: "In these emails, voters were asked to vote for Donald Trump or they would come after them."

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

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

Ratcliffe also referred to a video released by Iran claiming that fake ballots could be handed out, not only in the United States but also abroad. He also said that while there has been no similar case of Russian interference, “we are confident that Russia is seeking access to voter data, as it did in 2016.”

FBI Director Wray then described the actions by Iran and Russia as “efforts born of the frustration of disillusioned enemies,” stating that “the goal of these actions by Iran and Russia is to create confusion, social unrest, and damage Donald Trump’s image and votes.”

Assuring the American people that "their vote will remain effective and will be protected," he urged citizens to obtain their information about the election from reliable sources and relevant authorities in the states.

Iran: The goal is to undermine the trust of American voters

In response to accusations of interference in the US elections, Iran has in turn accused the US of interfering in the elections of other countries.

According to IRNA, Alireza Miryousefi, spokesman for the Iranian mission to the United Nations, responded to the statements of two US security officials on Wednesday night, calling the accusations aimed at “undermining voters’ trust in US electoral security.” He said: “The world is witnessing America’s desperate public efforts to question the outcome of its presidential election at the highest level.”

"These accusations are nothing more than another scenario to undermine American voters' confidence in election security and are false," Miryousi added.

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

In mid-August, William Evanina, head of the US National Counterintelligence Center, issued a statement stating that Russia, China, and Iran are trying to influence American voters by spreading fake news and disinformation, increasing discord and division, and creating a sense of distrust among Americans in the democratic nature of the election process.

Source: DW