On November 5, 2024, the U.S. announced sanctions against Iranian and Russian entities involved in election interference. The Treasury Department identified a subsidiary of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a Moscow-based affiliate of Russia’s GRU as key actors trying to manipulate the U.S. electorate by inciting socio-political tensions and spreading disinformation. Acting Under Secretary Bradley Smith emphasized the need for vigilance against such threats to democracy. Iran denied the allegations, while Russia’s Embassy did not respond. The sanctions reveal ongoing concerns about foreign influence, including the use of deepfakes and AI in election manipulation.
