US accuses Iran of cyber attacks on presidential candidates

The United States has now formally accused Iran of launching cyber operations against the campaigns of both Presidential candidates while targeting the American public with influence operations aimed at exploiting social discord.

An FBI statement says Iran seeks to stoke discord and undermine confidence in the country’s democratic institutions, including through cyber operations, to attempt to gain access to sensitive information related to the US elections.

The FBI statement says the Intelligence Community (IC) has observed increasingly aggressive Iranian activity during this election cycle, specifically involving influence operations targeting the American public and cyber operations targeting presidential campaigns.

The IC says it’s confident that Iran has, through social engineering and other efforts, sought access to individuals with direct access to the presidential campaigns of both political parties in an effort to influence the US election process.

Iran’s UN Mission called the allegations unsubstantiated and devoid of any standing, calling for evidence to be provided.

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