Tech giant Microsoft on Friday warned that Iran is intensifying its online activities to influence the upcoming US presidential election. According to Microsoft’s latest threat intelligence report, Iranian cyber actors have launched targeted phishing attacks against US political campaigns, created fake news sites, and impersonated American activists in a bid to sow discord among voters.
The report, released on Friday, details several instances where Iranian groups linked to the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to interfere in US electoral processes. One particularly alarming case involved a phishing attack on a high-ranking official of a US presidential campaign in June. The attackers used a hacked email account of a former senior adviser to disguise their origins, although Microsoft did not disclose which campaign was targeted.
The cyber offensive didn’t stop there. The same group also tried to breach the account of a former presidential candidate, though the attempt was unsuccessful. Microsoft has since alerted the individuals involved, highlighting the sophistication and persistence of the Iranian actors.
‘Fake news websites to create division‘
Beyond direct attacks on political figures, Iranian groups have been busy laying the groundwork for broader influence operations. Microsoft’s report highlights the creation of fake news websites that mirror legitimate US media outlets but are designed to stoke division among voters. These sites, tailored to appeal to different political ideologies, have been pushing incendiary content aimed at deepening the partisan divide. For instance, one site catering to left-leaning audiences disparaged former President Donald Trump, accusing him of erratic behavior and drug use. Meanwhile, a site targeting conservative readers focused on contentious issues like LGBTQ rights and gender-affirming surgeries.
In a further sign of the breadth of these influence efforts, Iranian operatives have also been impersonating US activists, potentially setting the stage for more direct interference as the election draws nearer. Additionally, an Iranian group reportedly compromised the account of a government employee in a crucial swing state in May, though it remains unclear if this breach was part of a broader election-related scheme.
Iran’s United Nations mission has denied any involvement in plans to interfere with or launch cyberattacks against the US election. However, the findings in Microsoft’s report go beyond what US intelligence officials have disclosed.
As the November election approaches, the stakes are high, with not just Iran, but also Russia and China exploiting the deepening political polarisation in the US.
(With inputs from agencies)