The United States has announced new sanctions against Russian and Iranian entities accused of spreading disinformation to interfere in the 2024 presidential election.
The sanctions, introduced by the Treasury Department on Tuesday, target groups linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Russia’s military intelligence agency, alleging their involvement in coordinated efforts to divide American voters.
The Russian entity, the Center for Geopolitical Expertise (CGE), was founded by Aleksandr Dugin, a prominent figure previously sanctioned in 2015.
According to U.S. officials, CGE operated a network of over 100 websites designed to mimic legitimate news outlets. These sites used generative AI tools to produce and distribute fabricated stories that appeared credible but were intended to mislead the public and influence opinions.
One notable case involved a manipulated video targeting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a vice presidential candidate, with false allegations. The video, created using deepfake technology, was flagged as “manipulated media” on the platform X but continues to circulate online.
The sanctions also targeted Iran’s Cognitive Design Production Center, a group accused of conducting operations to heighten divisions among U.S. voters. Acting under the direction of the IRGC, the organization aimed to exploit political and social tensions during the lead-up to the election.
This action against Iran is consistent with previous measures, including the 2024 indictment of three IRGC operatives for attempting to hack into the campaign of then-candidate Donald Trump. Federal prosecutors alleged that the operatives planned to leak stolen information to undermine Trump’s candidacy and benefit his opponents.
Treasury Department officials highlighted the broader threat posed by foreign influence campaigns, which use modern technology to amplify their reach.
Bradley Smith, acting under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, stated that the governments of Iran and Russia were actively working to interfere in U.S. elections and divide the electorate through disinformation.
The sanctions also extended to a Russian judge, Olesya Mendeleeva, for her role in sentencing Alexei Gorinov, a Kremlin critic, to an extended prison term. This addition reflects U.S. concerns over broader abuses tied to Moscow’s suppression of dissent.
With the 2024 election concluded, these actions reflect ongoing efforts to counter the evolving tactics of foreign adversaries seeking to undermine American democracy. The measures highlight a continued focus on addressing these threats and safeguarding the integrity of U.S. democratic institutions.