Iran using covert influence campaign to try to undercut Trump candidacy, US intelligence says

US intelligence officials have revealed that Iran is actively engaging in a covert influence campaign to undermine former President Donald Trump’s candidacy.

According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Tehran is using covert social media accounts and other related activities to sway public opinion and diminish Trump’s electoral prospects, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

As the ODNI said, Iran’s efforts are motivated by a desire to avoid a potential increase in tensions with the United States. This strategy mirrors actions taken during the 2020 election, when Iran also sought to undermine Trump’s re-election bid through various covert methods. The intelligence community has noted that Iran’s preference for US presidential candidates remains unchanged since then.

In contrast, Russia’s influence operations, which supported Trump and aimed to discredit Joe Biden during the 2020 election, have reportedly maintained their focus.

Iranian officials, however, have dismissed these claims, asserting that they do not engage in activities designed to influence US elections. They characterize the allegations as part of psychological operations intended to artificially boost election campaigns.