### U.S. Charges Three Iranian Hackers for Interfering in Elections

The Justice Department has announced criminal charges against three members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, accusing them of hacking into electronic accounts belonging to aides of former President Donald Trump and other individuals. These charges come as part of a broader allegation that Iran seeks to undermine confidence in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.

In a press conference, Attorney General Merrick Garland detailed ongoing concerns about Iran's attempts to harm American officials, including Trump, who is now the Republican presidential nominee for 2024. The indictment contends that the hackers impersonated U.S. government officials through spearphishing techniques, gaining unauthorized access to steal confidential information.

FBI Director Christopher Wray elaborated on the hackers' methods, noting that they created fake personas to trick their targets. "These hackers exploited their unauthorized access to deceive even more people and steal more confidential information," Wray said.

The investigation, which involved both the Trump and Harris campaigns working cooperatively with authorities, revealed that the three men face charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and material support to a terrorist organization.

Technology companies have also been vigilant in monitoring hacking threats from foreign entities, including Iran. John Hultquist from Google's Threat Intelligence Group remarked on the evolving nature of Iran's cyber-attacks. Hackers from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard often pose as hacktivists or criminals, targeting individuals through emails and text messages. Their activities primarily aim to erode trust in election security.

As the U.S. government intensifies its scrutiny of foreign interference, these charges mark a significant step in its efforts to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.