Intelligence officials in the U.S. suspect that Iran is actively attempting to disrupt former President Trump’s presidential campaign through various online influence tactics, as stated in a press briefing on Monday.
An official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) addressed reporters, noting that U.S. intelligence agencies “observed Tehran’s efforts to sway the presidential election,” likely in an effort to prevent escalating tensions with the U.S.
While the official did not specifically claim that Iran was seeking to undermine Trump, he indicated that American intelligence “hasn’t seen any change in Iran’s inclinations” since 2020, suggesting that Iran continues to be focused on Trump.
During the briefing, another intelligence official pointed out that Iran is leveraging “extensive networks of online personas and disinformation outlets to disseminate false information,” alongside various digital campaigns.
TRUMP TELLS JESSE WATTERS THAT HE WAS NOT WARNED ABOUT GUNMAN, DESPITE REPORTS
U.S. intelligence officials believe Iran is meddling in the 2024 election. (Getty Images)
In early July, Tehran faced accusations of conspiring to assassinate Trump following a gunman’s attack during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13. Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations responded to Fox News Digital, describing the allegations as “unsubstantiated and malicious.”
“For the Islamic Republic of Iran, Trump is a criminal who should be held accountable and punished legally for his order to assassinate General Soleimani,” stated the permanent mission. “Iran is pursuing legal routes to seek justice against him.”
Iran is not the only foreign antagonist reported to be interfering in the 2024 presidential election. On July 10, ODNI officials labeled Russia as the “primary threat” to the election.
According to an intelligence official, Russia is “employing a whole-of-government strategy to sway the election, focusing on the presidential contest, Congress, and public opinion,” and has become “more sophisticated” in its election interference tactics, traditionally targeting the Democratic Party in U.S. elections.
WATCH: THOUSANDS DESCEND ON MICHIGAN TOWN FOR FIRST TRUMP RALLY SINCE FAILED ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends a meeting with students in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday, Nov. 1. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)
As per the latest report from the Director of National Intelligence regarding Russia, the Kremlin is targeting the Democratic Party to reduce U.S. support for Ukraine, among other objectives.
The report states, “We assess that Russia and its proxies have aimed to discredit the Democratic Party leading up to the midterms and undermine confidence in the electoral process, likely to lessen U.S. backing for Ukraine and to erode trust in U.S. democratic institutions.”
During the ODNI briefing on July 10, it was revealed that Russia is also employing artificial intelligence to replicate American Southern and Midwestern accents on social media.
According to an ODNI official, “Foreign adversaries are continually experimenting with and have integrated at least some generative AI tools to efficiently produce authentic-looking content designed primarily for social media platforms and that can target particular audiences in the U.S.”
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance next to Eric Trump, on Day 2 of the Republican National Convention (RNC), at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 16, 2024. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital reached out to the Trump campaign for further comments.
Reporting by Fox News Digital’s Michael Dorgan, Louis Casiano, and David Spunt contributed to this report.
