US Accuses Iran of Inciting Gaza Protests

The Iranian government is quietly promoting American protests against Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, aiming to incite outrage before the upcoming fall election, said the U.S.’s top intelligence official on Tuesday.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines stated that groups linked to Tehran have been using popular U.S. social media platforms to pose as activists, encourage protests, and provide financial support to some protest groups.

“Iran is becoming increasingly aggressive in their foreign influence efforts, seeking to stoke discord and undermine confidence in our democratic institutions,” Haines stated.

This development is the latest indication that America’s adversaries are using the internet to influence domestic debates and deepen political divides ahead of the election.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the importance of warning Americans to help them “guard against efforts by foreign powers to take advantage of or coopt their legitimate protest activities.”

She also warned Iran that “meddling in our politics and seeking to stoke division is unacceptable.”

In recent years, Iran, Russia, and China have honed their skills in using online bots and fake social media accounts to amplify divisive debates in the U.S. on topics like immigration, police shootings, COVID-19, environmental disasters, and even Chinese spy balloons.

Typically, these influence campaigns exploit existing social conflicts. Haines noted that Americans protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza have the right to express their views but must be aware when foreign actors are trying to interfere in domestic politics.

“Americans who are being targeted by this Iranian campaign may not be aware that they are interacting with or receiving support from a foreign government,” Haines said.

Protests over Israel’s offensives in Gaza have occurred on university campuses nationwide in recent months. These protests have influenced political campaigns and raised concerns about antisemitism, the role of “outside agitators,” and the potential for a larger regional conflict between Israel and Iran.

Iran is not the only country attempting to influence American discourse before the 2024 election. Intelligence officials noted that America’s adversaries are expected to use the latest artificial intelligence to significantly expand the reach and impact of election misinformation.

Officials from agencies like the FBI and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Russia remains the greatest threat. The Kremlin is engaging in a comprehensive effort to spread election disinformation ahead of the 2024 race. Russia has already tried to exploit debates over immigration as part of its strategy to undermine international support for Ukraine.

Russia is also trying to cover its tracks by funneling its disinformation through supposedly independent news sites and American influencers who might not realize they are echoing Russian propaganda.

When asked if Russia preferred a specific presidential candidate, officials declined to answer directly but noted that Russia’s preference has remained consistent with previous election cycles, when U.S. intelligence assessed that Russia worked to support Republican candidate Donald Trump.

China, which ran an extensive disinformation campaign before Taiwan’s recent election, has been more cautious in targeting Americans this year. Officials said there is no indication that China will try to influence the presidential race, as it sees no benefit in choosing between candidates who are both seen as trying to curb its power.

Sen. Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated that the U.S. may be more vulnerable to foreign disinformation this year than before the 2020 election. He praised the intelligence community for informing the public about the threat.

“Social media, in particular, continues to be a popular vector for foreign covert influence attempts, and our adversaries remain focused on stoking social, racial, and political tensions among Americans,” said Warner.