In a joint statement released today, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) highlighted new information regarding Iran's attempts to sow discord and shape the outcome of U.S. elections.

According to the FBI, Iranian malicious cyber actors targeted individuals associated with President Biden's campaign by sending unsolicited emails containing stolen, non-public material from former President Trump's campaign. While there is no evidence of any recipient responding to these emails, it raises concerns about Iran's efforts to interfere with the election process. Additionally, the cyber actors have continued to send stolen material associated with Trump's campaign to U.S. media organizations since June, further emphasizing their intentions.

This recent cyber activity adds to Iran's multipronged approach, as previously mentioned in the joint statement from August, aimed at undermining confidence in the electoral process and stirring up discord. The FBI, as the leading organization in threat response, has been actively monitoring this activity, engaging with the victims, and will continue investigating in order to identify and disrupt the threat actors responsible.

The statement also highlights the increasing election influence activities by foreign actors as the November elections draw closer. Notably, Russia, Iran, and China are identified as seeking to exploit divisions within U.S. society for their own benefit, viewing election periods as vulnerable moments. The joint statement makes it clear that any efforts by these or other foreign actors to undermine American democratic institutions will not be tolerated and pose a direct threat to the United States.

To combat such interference, the FBI and CISA are urging election campaigns and infrastructure stakeholders to report any suspicious or criminal activity to their local Election Crimes Coordinators via FBI field offices. The agencies provide multiple avenues for reporting, including online platforms and hotlines, to gather crucial information and protect against cyber threats. Additionally, CISA offers resources and guidelines to help safeguard election infrastructure from both cyber and physical threats.

As the U.S. heads towards the upcoming elections, the message from intelligence agencies is clear: vigilance and proactive reporting of any suspicious activity are crucial to protect the integrity of the electoral process. The joint efforts of ODNI, FBI, and CISA will continue to investigate and address the actions of these foreign actors, emphasizing the commitment to safeguarding American democracy.