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The US Sanctions Iranian and Russian Organizations for Spreading Misinformation Against American Voters

Two organizations linked to Russian and Iranian disinformation efforts to sway American voters in the run-up to the election have been sanctioned by the US.

Treasury authorities blamed the groups for trying to deepen rifts inside the United States prior to the vote in November when they announced the actions on Tuesday. U.S. intelligence claims that both governments disseminated deceptive information to influence public opinion and undermine confidence in American electoral systems, including fake news articles, films, and social media posts.

Details of Disinformation Campaigns and Sanctions

“The governments of Iran and Russia have targeted our election processes and institutions and sought to divide the American people through targeted disinformation campaigns,” said Bradley T. Smith, acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury Department.

Group Activities in Russia

The Russian entity responsible for producing, financing, and spreading false information about U.S. political candidates was found to be the Center for Geopolitical Expertise, located in Moscow. According to authorities, the center ran multiple fake news websites that imitated reputable sources and used artificial intelligence (AI) to create deepfake films. Additionally, the group allegedly worked with Russian military intelligence personnel who targeted Western interests with hacks and other forms of damage.

The director of the center, who is charged with planning these disinformation campaigns in conjunction with Russian intelligence, is also subject to the penalties.

The Role of the Iranian Group

Additionally sanctioned was the Cognitive Design Production Center, which has ties to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, a foreign terrorist group blacklisted by the United States. According to officials, the center has been trying since 2023 to exacerbate political tensions in the United States, particularly by igniting demonstrations against Israel’s battle against Hamas in Gaza.

Iran was also charged by U.S. intelligence with hacking the accounts of well-known American leaders, both past and present, including those connected to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

Accusations of Election Meddling

U.S. intelligence discovered concerted attempts by China, Iran, and Russia to erode trust in American democracy in the run-up to the election. According to reports, Russia attempted to back Donald Trump, whose foreign policy included criticizing NATO, praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, and suggesting cuts to aid to Ukraine. Iran, on the other hand, sought to undermine Trump’s candidacy because of his administration’s revocation of sanctions, withdrawal from the Iran nuclear agreement, and targeted assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

Iran and Russia’s Reactions

Iranian and Russian authorities refuted claims of meddling in the election. “Russia has not and does not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries,” an email from the Russian embassy in Washington said.

Iranian authorities have not yet responded formally.

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Source : apnews

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