US Imposes Sanctions on Iranian and Russian Groups Over Election Disinformation Campaigns

The United States has sanctioned two groups linked to Iranian and Russian efforts to target American voters with disinformation ahead of the 2024 election. The U.S. Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Tuesday, accusing the organizations of spreading fake videos, news stories, and social media posts aimed at stoking divisions among Americans before November’s vote.

The Russian group, the Centre for Geopolitical Expertise, based in Moscow, was accused of creating and disseminating disinformation, including deepfake videos, to influence public opinion. The sanctions also targeted the group’s director, who allegedly collaborated with Russian military intelligence agents involved in cyberattacks and sabotage against the West.

The Iranian group, the Cognitive Design Production Centre, a subsidiary of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, has been accused of inciting political tensions in the U.S. since at least 2023, including efforts to encourage protests over Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

U.S. intelligence officials have linked both Iran and Russia to broader efforts to undermine confidence in U.S. democracy. Russia allegedly sought to bolster the candidacy of former President Donald Trump, while Iran reportedly aimed to oppose him, citing issues related to the U.S.’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal and the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Both Russia and Iran have denied claims of interfering with U.S. elections.