DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran is becoming an increasing concern for the United States as the presidential campaign approaches its conclusion.
U.S. prosecutors allege that Tehran has attempted to hack individuals associated with the election, stealing sensitive information from Donald Trump’s campaign. Additionally, U.S. officials have accused Iran of planning to assassinate Trump and other former officials.
Hacking and assassination attempts are strategies that Iran has long employed. The country recognized the implications of cyber warfare when it faced the Stuxnet virus in the early 2000s, which was believed to have been deployed by foreign adversaries to damage its nuclear program. Since then, state-linked hackers have targeted Trump’s campaign, Iranian expatriates, and officials within the country.
Iran’s history of assassination campaigns extends back further to the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, during which the regime targeted perceived adversaries abroad.
A retrospective on Iran’s actions reveals a pattern of engaging in cyber warfare. The Stuxnet worm infiltrated control units at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, ultimately leading to significant damage to its uranium enrichment capabilities. Initially, Iranian scientists misattributed this destruction to mechanical failures before recognizing the cyberattack’s origins.
An analysis from a prominent research center noted Iran’s adaptability in cyber warfare, highlighting a leaked National Security Agency document that indicated Iran learned from its experiences as a victim of cyberattacks.
Domestically, the Iranian regime has also faced its challenges, such as the 2009 protests following a contentious presidential election. During these events, the “Iranian Cyber Army” emerged, allegedly backed by the Revolutionary Guard, to disrupt social media platforms used by protesters.
Iran has been on the receiving end of hacking incidents as well, with embarrassing breaches reported that have affected gas stations, surveillance systems, and even state media.
As tensions grow due to ongoing conflicts involving Israel and Iran’s nuclear ambitions, cyber activities from Iran are expected to persist. The continued improvement in telecommunications, with a proliferation of universities dedicated to computer science, provides an expanding pool of potential hackers loyal to the Iranian regime.
Iranian efforts to infiltrate U.S. targets have included numerous attempts against financial institutions and infrastructure, which have been traced back to Iranian military entities.
While Russia is frequently cited as the primary threat to U.S. elections, Iranian cyber activities are drawing increased scrutiny. Recent campaigns have involved techniques such as phishing, where misleading emails are sent out in hopes of compromising sensitive information.
Digital security experts note the effectiveness of these tactics, emphasizing their low cost and ease of execution.
These hacking strategies serve Iran’s interests by fostering chaos and potentially undermining Trump’s political aspirations while gathering intelligence.
Iran has publicly vowed to retaliate against Trump and former administration officials for the 2020 drone strike that eliminated General Qassem Soleimani. In July, alerts emerged regarding a renewed Iranian threat against Trump, prompting enhanced security measures. Although investigations have not directly linked Iran to recent assassination attempts, there are ongoing federal charges against individuals allegedly plotting attacks within the U.S.
Iran’s history of targeting opponents maintains a significant place in its strategy. The ideological underpinnings for these actions were articulated by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, indicating a longstanding commitment to suppressing adversaries through force.
From the early years after the Islamic Revolution to recent threats against figures like former national security adviser John Bolton, Iran’s efforts to eliminate its perceived enemies are noteworthy. The U.S. continues to regard these threats seriously, with the potential for further escalation in confrontations between the two nations.
