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The United States Treasury Department has imposed fresh sanctions on Iranian and Russian organizations tied to disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing American voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

The U.S. Treasury announced these measures on December 31, 2024, accusing the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise and Iran’s Cognitive Design Production Center of exploiting disinformation tactics to undermine trust in U.S. democratic institutions and stoke societal divisions.

“The governments of Iran and Russia have targeted our election processes and institutions and sought to divide the American people through targeted disinformation campaigns,” said Bradley T. Smith, the Treasury Department’s acting undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, in a statement.

Election interference through disinformation campaigns has become a prominent concern in the digital age. In recent years, foreign actors have increasingly used fake news, doctored videos, and coordinated social media campaigns to sow discord and influence political outcomes in other nations.

The 2016 U.S. presidential election marked a turning point in public awareness of such efforts, with extensive investigations uncovering Russian meddling aimed at polarizing American voters and bolstering specific candidates.

.@USTreasury‘s Office of Foreign Assets Control is designating a subordinate organization of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a Moscow-based affiliate organization of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate. https://t.co/o7qxXWDIUD

— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) December 31, 2024

The U.S. government has since intensified efforts to safeguard its electoral processes, with intelligence agencies monitoring threats from Russia, Iran, China, and other nations. However, these efforts continue to be challenged by evolving tactics, such as the use of artificial intelligence to create more sophisticated disinformation.

Russia’s Center for Geopolitical Expertise

Authorities have identified the Center for Geopolitical Expertise as a key player in Russia’s efforts to influence U.S. elections. According to U.S. officials, the organization oversaw the production and distribution of deepfake videos targeting American political candidates. These AI-generated videos were designed to look authentic, spreading false narratives to discredit candidates and manipulate voters.

The group is also accused of creating and funding numerous fake news websites that mimicked legitimate outlets. In some cases, the center even paid U.S.-based companies to produce pro-Russian content, further obscuring the origin of its propaganda. The organization’s director, whose name was not disclosed, is alleged to have collaborated closely with Russian military intelligence agents known for orchestrating cyberattacks against Western nations.

Iran’s Cognitive Design Production Center

The Iranian Cognitive Design Production Center is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a paramilitary organization the U.S. has designated as a foreign terrorist group. Officials claim the center has been actively working to inflame political tensions in the U.S. since at least 2023. The group reportedly focused on exploiting contentious issues such as racial inequality, economic disparities, and geopolitical conflicts.

The governments of Iran and Russia have targeted our election processes and institutions and sought to divide the American people through targeted disinformation campaigns. The United States will remain vigilant against adversaries who would undermine our democracy.

— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) December 31, 2024

U.S. intelligence agencies also attribute a broader effort to Iran’s government, accusing it of seeking to provoke protests in the United States, particularly in response to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. In addition, Iranian operatives have been linked to hacking incidents targeting prominent U.S. officials, including senior members of former President Donald Trump’s campaign.

Broader implications

The sanctions are part of a broader U.S. strategy to counter foreign interference in its democratic processes. Over the past decade, officials have repeatedly warned about the dangers posed by disinformation campaigns orchestrated by adversarial nations. These campaigns aim not only to influence election outcomes but also to undermine public trust in democracy itself.

In a broader assessment, U.S. intelligence officials have pointed to coordinated efforts by Russia, Iran, and China to erode confidence in U.S. elections. Russia has been particularly active in using disinformation to support candidates perceived as favorable to its interests, including former President Donald Trump, who has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and questioned the utility of NATO.

Meanwhile, Iran’s efforts have generally aimed to oppose Trump, given his administration’s hardline policies against Tehran, including the withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in 2020.

Reactions from Russia and Iran

Both Russia and Iran have denied allegations of election interference. A spokesperson for Russia’s embassy in Washington issued a statement, saying, “Russia has not and does not interfere with the internal affairs of other countries.” Iranian officials have yet to respond to the U.S. allegations.

The imposition of these sanctions underscores the ongoing threat posed by foreign disinformation campaigns during the U.S. election. By targeting key organizations involved in these efforts, the U.S. aims to disrupt their operations and send a strong message about the consequences of meddling in its democratic processes.

However, the challenge of combating election interference is far from over. As technology evolves, so do the methods used by adversaries to spread disinformation. Experts warn that vigilance, international cooperation, and investment in cybersecurity will be crucial to protecting the integrity of democratic institutions in the years to come.