NEW YORK (August 9) — Iran has significantly ramped up its cyber activities in an apparent bid to influence the upcoming U.S. presidential election, according to a recent Microsoft report. This includes targeted phishing attacks on campaign officials, creation of fake news sites, and impersonation of U.S. activists.
Microsoft’s threat intelligence report reveals several tactics employed by Iranian actors:
- Phishing Attacks: In June, a group linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard targeted a high-ranking U.S. presidential campaign official with a phishing email. The email, sent from a compromised account of a former senior adviser, aimed to extract sensitive information. The attackers also attempted, though unsuccessfully, to access the account of a former presidential candidate.
- Fake News Websites: Iranian groups have been setting up fake news sites designed to appeal to different political bases. One site, targeting a left-leaning audience, makes derogatory remarks about former President Donald Trump, while another site aimed at Republicans focuses on controversial issues like LGBTQ rights and gender-affirming surgeries.
- Impersonation of Activists: Some Iranian groups are impersonating U.S. activists, potentially to prepare for more direct influence operations as the election nears.
- Compromised Government Accounts: In May, an Iranian group compromised the account of a government employee in a swing state. The report did not clarify if this incident was linked to election interference efforts.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations has denied any plans to interfere with the U.S. election, stating that Iran’s cyber capabilities are purely defensive. The mission described the accusations as unfounded.
The Microsoft report also notes similar tactics by other nations. Russia and China are exploiting U.S. political polarization, with Russian actors focusing on divisive messaging and Chinese actors capitalizing on events such as pro-Palestinian protests.
Concerns are growing about the use of generative AI to create convincing fake media, although current influence operations still rely heavily on traditional methods of misinformation and digital manipulation.
U.S. intelligence officials have previously warned about the threat from Russia and indicated that Iran’s efforts are expanding, while China remains cautious. Iran’s activities seem particularly targeted at candidates who are likely to adopt a tough stance against Tehran, reflecting ongoing high tensions between Iran and Israel.
The Microsoft report highlights the need for heightened vigilance and more research to address these evolving threats.
