Iran Intensifies Efforts to Influence 2024 US Election

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner blasts Biden administration's response to Iran's interference in US elections, demands immediate action to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.

In a scathing letter to President Biden, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) has condemned the administration's "dangerously insufficient" response to Iran's ongoing efforts to interfere in the 2024 presidential election. Turner's concerns stem from the intelligence community's determination that the Iranian regime is "actively" attempting to manipulate the outcome of the election.

Turner's letter cites unequivocal evidence from the FBI and US intelligence that Iran is engaged in a systemic campaign to undermine the integrity of the democratic process. Multiple individuals linked to the Iranian government have been implicated in plots to assassinate former President Trump and members of his administration on US soil.

Iran Intensifies Efforts to Influence 2024 US Election

Despite the severity of these threats, Turner argues that the Biden-Harris administration has failed to take decisive action. This inaction, he warns, not only jeopardizes the security of the electoral system but also emboldens other hostile actors who may seek to exploit this vulnerability.

Turner implores Biden to implement a comprehensive strategy to safeguard elections and protect citizens from Iranian interference. He emphasizes that the security of the nation and the integrity of democracy demand a strong and proactive response.

Iran Intensifies Efforts to Influence 2024 US Election

Turner's letter coincides with a sobering assessment from the intelligence community, which has observed "increasingly aggressive Iranian activity" during the 2024 election cycle. This activity includes influence operations targeting the American public and cyber operations targeting presidential campaigns.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the FBI, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a joint statement highlighting Iran's efforts to sow discord and undermine confidence in US democratic institutions. They also noted Iran's long-standing interest in exploiting societal tensions through cyber operations to gain access to sensitive information related to US elections.

Iran Intensifies Efforts to Influence 2024 US Election

Specifically, the intelligence community has attributed recent attempts to compromise former President Trump's campaign to Iran. The FBI is actively investigating these cyber hacking incidents, which occurred simultaneously with reports of an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump.

The intelligence community has determined that Iran has successfully accessed individuals with direct access to presidential campaigns of both political parties through social engineering and other means. The stolen and disclosed internal communications are intended to influence the election process.

Similar tactics have been employed by Iran and Russia not only in the United States but also in other countries worldwide. The intelligence community strongly condemns these foreign efforts to meddle in US elections and emphasizes its commitment to investigating and disrupting responsible threat actors.

The FBI, as the lead for threat response, has been monitoring Iranian activity, contacting victims, and gathering information to pursue and disrupt the perpetrators. Protecting the integrity of elections from foreign interference is a top priority.

The 2024 presidential campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris has stated that it vigilantly safeguards against cyber threats and is unaware of any security breaches within its systems.

Iran has a history of conducting hacking campaigns against its adversaries. It has also repeatedly threatened retaliation against Trump for the 2020 drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, a prominent Iranian general.

Microsoft's analysis has identified a steady increase in Iranian cyber-enabled influence operations in the lead-up to the 2024 election. These operations have been characterized by late-stage election season appearances and a focus on cyberattacks geared towards disrupting election conduct rather than swaying voters.

Microsoft's conclusion suggests that the Iranian regime, along with the Kremlin, is likely to be equally engaged in the 2024 election. The company emphasizes the need for vigilance and collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the public to effectively safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.