US accuses Iran of cyber attacks targeting Biden campaign

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) accused hackers from Iran to have allegedly focused on people linked to US president Joe Biden re-election efforts by dispatching emails that included compromised material from former US president Donald Trump’s campaign.

The US intelligence agencies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, claimed on Wednesday.

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The three intelligence agencies allege that since June, Iranian cyber operatives have made attempts to share non-public information related to Trump’s campaign with local media outlets.

The actions were viewed as part of a reportedly “larger Iranian strategy” to sow ‘discord’ and erode trust in the US electoral system.

The agencies confirmed that there was no evidence indicating any response from the email recipients, but they did not reveal feather the information reportedly stolen.

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In August, US officials accused Iran of executing cyber operations against both, the US presidential candidates and employing tactics to heighten political tensions among the US electorate.

Iran refuted the allegation, with its permanent mission to the United Nations labeling the allegation as “unfounded” and asserting that Tehran has no interest in meddling in US’ domestic affairs.

The emails were reportedly sent to people associated with Biden’s campaign during last June and early July. They apparently contained excerpts from the compromised material.

Biden would later exit the presidential race on July 21, following immense pressure. He would then enforce US Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party’s nominee.

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Following the announcement, Trump’s campaign were quick to ask Harris and Biden’s campaign whether they have used the compromised information to ‘damage’ Trump’s campaign.