US Sanctions Russian and Iranian Entities for 2024 Election Interference
Washington, D.C. – The United States Treasury Department announced sanctions Tuesday against several organizations in Russia and Iran accused of attempting to interfere in the 2024 US presidential election. These actions underscore the ongoing threat posed by foreign actors seeking to undermine democratic processes and sow discord within the American electorate. The sanctions target groups engaged in disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and other malicious activities designed to manipulate public opinion and influence the outcome of the election.
The Treasury Department identified a Moscow-based organization, the Center for Geopolitical Expertise, as a key player in Russia’s election interference efforts. This group, with alleged ties to Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), reportedly developed and deployed sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate and disseminate disinformation. To circumvent detection and maintain operational secrecy, the Center for Geopolitical Expertise established its own server infrastructure, specifically designed to host these AI tools and avoid scrutiny from foreign web-hosting services.
Leveraging this covert infrastructure, the organization orchestrated a widespread disinformation campaign, disseminating fabricated news articles and manipulative content across a network of at least 100 websites. Furthermore, the Treasury Department alleges that the Center for Geopolitical Expertise manipulated video footage to create baseless accusations against a 2024 vice presidential candidate. This echoes previous allegations of Russian interference, including a manipulated video targeting Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate, Tim Walz, in October. The Treasury Department also revealed that the organization funneled funds to US-based companies to maintain its AI server and operate the extensive network of websites used in the disinformation campaign.
In addition to the Russian entities, the Treasury Department also sanctioned the Cognitive Design Production Center, an entity linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This organization is accused of planning to interfere in the 2024 election, with activities dating back to at least 2023. This announcement follows previous incidents of alleged Iranian interference, including a cyberattack against then-President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, which led to indictments against Iranian nationals by the US Department of Justice. Furthermore, OpenAI, the developer of the popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, reported banning accounts linked to an Iranian influence operation in the weeks leading up to the election.
The sanctions represent a significant step by the US government to counter foreign interference in its democratic processes. These actions aim to disrupt the financial networks and operational capabilities of the targeted organizations, thereby limiting their ability to conduct further malicious activities. The Treasury Department emphasized the gravity of these threats, stating that both the Iranian and Russian governments have actively targeted US election processes and institutions, seeking to divide the American people through targeted disinformation campaigns.
Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley Smith, underscored the importance of these sanctions in a press release, stating that the actions demonstrate the US government’s commitment to protecting the integrity of its elections and holding foreign actors accountable for their attempts to undermine democratic processes. The sanctions represent a crucial step in the ongoing effort to safeguard the integrity of the US electoral system and counter the growing threat of foreign interference in the digital age. The US government continues to monitor and address these threats, collaborating with international partners and private sector organizations to strengthen its defenses against foreign interference and ensure the integrity of future elections.