Washington [US], September 20: US intelligence agencies on Wednesday said that Iran offered US President Joe Biden's campaign information stolen from rival Donald Trump.
Iranian "malicious cyber actors" in late June and early July sent unsolicited emails to Biden's campaign that contained an excerpt taken from stolen, non-public material from Trump's campaign, a joint statement from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the US Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI said.
There was no indication that any of the recipients responded.
"Furthermore, Iranian malicious cyber actors have continued their efforts since June to send stolen, non-public material associated with former President Trump's campaign to US media organizations," the statement said.
"This malicious cyber activity is the latest example of Iran's multipronged approach ... to stoke discord and undermine confidence in our electoral process." In August, the agencies attributed responsibility to Iran for the hack of Trump's presidential campaign.
The FBI would continue to "investigate and gather information in order to pursue and disrupt the threat actors responsible," it said.
Foreign actors were increasing their "election influence activities" as the US presidential elections, set down for November 5, approached, the FBI said.
"In particular, Russia, Iran, and China are trying by some measure to exacerbate divisions in US society for their own benefit, and see election periods as moments of vulnerability," the agencies said.
"Efforts by these, or other foreign actors, to undermine our democratic institutions are a direct threat to the US and will not be tolerated." Biden was originally due to face Trump in the November 5 presidential election but dropped his bid for a second term as his age and mental capabilities came under growing scrutiny. US Vice President Kamala Harris will instead lead the Democratic ticket.
Source: Qatar Tribune