Iranian hackers disrupt Trump campaign during U.S. election
- The Justice Department has charged three Iranian hackers for their involvement in disrupting Donald Trump’s campaign.
- These hackers allegedly used deceptive tactics to steal sensitive information and leak it to the media.
- The case underscores the growing threat of foreign interference in U.S. elections, prompting sanctions and ongoing investigations.
Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the Justice Department charged three Iranian hackers linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps for disrupting Donald Trump’s campaign. The hackers, identified as Masoud Jalili, Seyyed Ali Aghamiri, and Yasar Balaghi, allegedly used fake email accounts to deceive campaign officials, stealing sensitive information and leaking it to the media. This cyber activity is part of a broader Iranian effort to undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral process. The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on the accused, who remain in Iran, making their arrest challenging. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the commitment to pursuing these individuals indefinitely, highlighting the increasing threat of Iranian cyber operations during the election cycle. Additionally, U.S. intelligence agencies reported that Iran attempted to share hacked Trump campaign data with Biden's team, further complicating the electoral landscape. The situation is exacerbated by the emergence of fake news websites created by Iranian actors to influence public opinion against Trump, showcasing a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at key voter demographics. This multifaceted approach reflects Iran's long-standing strategy of using cyber tactics to interfere in foreign elections, raising concerns about the integrity of the upcoming election and the potential for foreign influence on American democracy.