Iran has started an influence campaign designed to undercut the candidacy of former President Donald Trump, U.S. officials indicated Monday, in an apparent reprisal of a 2020 effort that U.S. intelligence agencies found with high confidence had been authorized by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The update came from officials with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), FBI and Department of Homeland Security who held a joint election security briefing 99 days before Election Day. The briefing was the second in a series the agencies expect to give before that day, and the officials spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive assessments.

Iran’s efforts to undermine the Trump campaign appear for the moment to be at cross-purposes with simultaneous efforts by Russia to influence the election in Trump’s favor, even as the two countries have forged closer ties over the course of the war in Ukraine. Biden administration officials revealed last year that Iranian is attempting to help Russia build a drone factory on Russian soil in exchange for military equipment.

      • Gsus4@mander.xyz
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        1 month ago

        Why? I thought it worked out great for russia, (everyone forgot about Ukraine) and Iran (able to attack Israel without major blowback to themselves)

        • Zipitydew@sh.itjust.works
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          1 month ago

          Putin has shifted to being good with Bibi keeping the conflict going. Because like Bibi, he thinks it will play a factor in getting Trump elected.

          Iran is usually up for helping poke the little Satan. Selling Russia more drones is good too. But getting 1 of their proxies wiped out. Plus the other 2 heavily engaged. Then Putin shifts to back Israel. Guessing that wasn’t what Iran bargained for.

          Long-term it could be in Iran’s favor as people are waking up to how fucked the Zionists are. But to have Putin play both sides should cause Iran to reconsider how much they’re really aligned.

          • Gsus4@mander.xyz
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            1 month ago

            Yea, they both russia and Israel want Trump elected whereas Iran wants him dead before he can do any more damage, not endowed with presidential powers, got it.

    • douglasg14b@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Hell to the fuck no. We should never consider foreign election interference okay, it doesn’t matter if they’re interfering in favor of you or not.