Iranian Hackers Attempt to Undermine U.S. Elections by Targeting Biden-Harris Campaign
Washington D.C. (CNN Politics) – federal law enforcement officials confirmed that Iranian hackers sent stolen information from Donald Trump’s presidential campaign to individuals associated with the Biden-Harris campaign during the summer. According to a joint statement by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the FBI, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the hackers targeted personal emails of individuals affiliated with President Joe Biden’s campaign in June and July.
While the Biden campaign did not engage with the unsolicited material, the incident highlights the growing risk of foreign interference in U.S. elections. “We’re not aware of any material being sent directly to the campaign,” said Morgan Finkelstein, national security spokesperson for the Harris campaign, condemning any foreign influence operations.
Iranian Hackers Continue Aggressive Efforts to Sway U.S. Elections
The operation is part of a broader strategy by Iranian government-linked hackers to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election, echoing the hack-and-leak tactics previously employed by Russia during the 2016 election. Federal officials said this latest attempt to sow discord was aimed at undermining confidence in the electoral process.
While Trump’s campaign seized on the opportunity to criticize Biden and Harris, claiming the hacked material may have been used, there is no evidence to suggest any such use. “The material was not used,” a campaign official confirmed to CNN.
Trump’s Accusations and Election Security Concerns
Despite law enforcement statements making no claims of Biden’s involvement, Trump used the news to fuel unsubstantiated allegations. During a rally in New York, Trump stated, “Iran hacked into my campaign … and gave it to the Biden campaign.” This narrative, although unsupported by evidence, signals a dangerous escalation in campaign rhetoric amid rising concerns over election security.
Iranian Hackers’ Persistent Attacks on Trump Campaign
In addition to targeting Biden’s team, Iranian hackers also breached the email account of Roger Stone, a longtime Trump ally, earlier in the year. The hackers attempted to use Stone’s account to infiltrate senior members of the Trump campaign. Investigators believe these actions are part of a persistent effort to access Trump campaign networks.
Iran has denied these allegations, stating, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not engage in the internal uproars or electoral controversies of the United States.”
Foreign Influence Extends Beyond Iran
While Iran continues its cyber activities, Russia has also intensified its efforts to interfere with the 2024 election. According to Microsoft researchers, Russian operatives have launched disinformation campaigns targeting Kamala Harris, promoting conspiracy theories aimed at exacerbating political and racial divisions in the U.S.
At a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on election interference, tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta, and Google highlighted their efforts to curb the influence of foreign disinformation. However, lawmakers expressed concern that tech platforms are still not doing enough to combat these threats.
A Critical Moment for U.S. Election Security
The Iranian hackers’ actions underscore the serious threat foreign actors pose to U.S. election integrity. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, vigilance is critical to prevent these malign forces from undermining public confidence in democracy.
Sources: Office of the Director of National Intelligence, FBI, CISA, Trump Campaign, Biden-Harris Campaign, CNN