US Intelligence Officials Accuse Iran of Meddling to Undercut Trump Election Campaign

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US intelligence officials have accused Iran of attempting to interfere with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign through covert online operations. Tehran’s objective is to influence the election to avoid an outcome that could escalate tensions with the United States, according to a press briefing from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Monday.

 

When questioned about Iran’s preferred candidate, an official referenced their assessment from the 2020 election, which concluded that Iran conducted a “multi-pronged covert influence campaign” aimed at undermining Trump’s re-election efforts. However, the Iranian mission to the United Nations has denied involvement in any activities intended to sway the US election. A spokesperson for the mission told The Times that these accusations are part of psychological operations designed to boost election campaigns artificially.

 

US spy agencies reported a recent shift in Iran’s propaganda operations. Previously, Iran had focused on exacerbating social tensions surrounding the war in Gaza. Intelligence officials noted that Tehran utilized extensive networks of online personas and propaganda mills to spread disinformation, aiming to foster distrust and social discord.

 

Despite Iran’s actions, Russia remains the primary threat to US election security, according to intelligence officials. Moscow is employing a variety of influence tactics, including using public relations firms and both witting and unwitting Americans to support presidential and down-ballot candidates it favors. An official indicated that Russia continues to support a Trump presidency due to the Republican Party’s growing opposition to US military and financial aid for Ukraine. The possibility of Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic presidential nominee has not altered either Iran’s or Russia’s preferred candidates.

 

Iran’s animosity towards Trump and his former national security team is rooted in the death of Qasem Soleimani, the former head of the Quds Force. Soleimani was killed by a US drone strike in Iraq ordered by Trump in January 2020. Since then, Tehran has repeatedly vowed to seek revenge for the death of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps general.

 

In response to these threats, the US Secret Service increased Trump’s security protections after an assassination attempt on July 13. The National Security Council stated that there was no known connection between Thomas Crooks, the would-be assassin, and any foreign actors, although intelligence about an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump had been received.

 

Credit: The Times  2024-07-30

 

 

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[2baht]

He's chasing the sympathy vote after being hit in the ear with a slingshot! Staged with very bad aim!