Iran uses secret influence campaign to undermine Trump's candidacy - CNN
Former US President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
Iran is employing covert activities in social and related influence operations in an attempt to undermine the candidacy of former US President Donald Trump, according to an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
The US intelligence community has detected that Tehran is attempting to influence the presidential elections, as Iranian leaders likely want to avoid a result they believe would escalate tensions with the US.
CNN reports that recent Iranian influence activities have taken the form of covert social media accounts and related actions.
According to an ODNI representative, Iran's preference for a US presidential candidate has not changed since 2020. A declassified US intelligence report revealed that during the 2020 elections, Iran conducted a multi-faceted covert influence campaign aimed at undermining Trump's reelection prospects.
Similarly, since 2020, Russia's preferences have remained unchanged, with Moscow conducting a series of influence operations supporting Trump and targeting to discredit Joe Biden.
In a statement to CNN, Iran's Permanent Mission to the UN denied any intentions or activities aimed at influencing US elections.
"A significant portion of such accusations are characterized by psychological operations designed to artificially pep up election campaigns," the Iranian mission added.
