US Imposes Sanctions on Groups in Russia, Iran Over Election Interference [Video]

The U.S. Treasury Department has announced sanctions on groups in Russia and Iran accused of orchestrating sophisticated disinformation campaigns targeting American voters.

Why It Matters

The sanctions come after U.S. officials have previously warned in the months ahead of the 2024 presidential elections of broader interference efforts from Iran, Russia and China, each aiming to erode confidence in U.S. democratic systems.

While Russia’s actions were reportedly aimed at supporting President-elect Donald Trump, whose policies align with Moscow’s interests, Iran allegedly sought to thwart his reelection following a history of tense relations, including the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the death of General Qassem Soleimani, an Iranian officer killed by an American drone strike in Iraq.

What To Know

Treasury officials on Tuesday announced the sanctions as a vital step in safeguarding electoral integrity.

The sanctioned groups—the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise and Iran’s Cognitive Design Production Center—are accused of employing artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake videos and news stories, …