Iranian hackers have been caught attempting to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election by sending stolen materials from former President Donald Trump’s campaign to individuals associated with President Biden’s campaign.

The FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies have confirmed these hacking efforts, which are part of ongoing phishing attacks and cyber activities targeting both campaigns, but in this instance, appeared to favor Biden over Trump, as ABC News reports.

In late June and early July, Iranian hackers launched a phishing campaign that targeted both the Biden and Trump campaigns. During this operation, they successfully obtained internal materials from Trump's campaign and distributed some of this stolen information to individuals connected with Biden’s campaign.

While the emails sent to Biden's associates contained non-public materials from the Trump campaign, investigators found no evidence that these individuals responded to the phishing attempts.

Emails Sent Contained Stolen Trump Campaign Information

The FBI revealed that the unsolicited emails sent by Iranian hackers in June and July included excerpts of stolen, confidential material from Trump’s campaign. These emails were directed to individuals who had been associated with Biden's campaign before he became the Democratic nominee.

"There is currently no information indicating those recipients replied," U.S. intelligence agencies said, confirming that the individuals who received the emails did not engage with the hackers.

In addition to sending stolen material to individuals associated with Biden’s campaign, the Iranian hackers also sought to share the same information with media outlets. The FBI noted that Iran’s strategy in this effort was to amplify discord and sow mistrust in the integrity of the U.S. election system.

Iranian Government Denies Involvement

Despite the findings from U.S. intelligence, Iran has denied any involvement in the matter. Iran’s Mission to the United Nations responded, saying, “The Islamic Republic of Iran does not engage in the internal uproars or electoral controversies of the United States,” rejecting the accusations as unfounded.

Meanwhile, the FBI and other agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), continue to investigate these ongoing attempts. They emphasize that foreign interference in U.S. elections is not a new phenomenon, with Russia, China, and Iran frequently cited as key players in influence operations.

Foreign Actors Intensify Election Interference

As the November election approaches, foreign actors like Iran are ramping up their efforts to influence the outcome. U.S. intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned about the persistent cyber threats posed by foreign adversaries, especially Iran, Russia, and China. These countries have been actively engaging in influence operations aimed at disrupting the U.S. electoral process.

According to a statement from U.S. intelligence, "Foreign actors are increasing their election influence activities as we approach November."

The FBI remains vigilant in tracking these cyber activities and has been in contact with victims of the Iranian phishing campaign. The agency is working closely with other intelligence partners to disrupt these threats and ensure the security of the upcoming election.

Trump Campaign Seeks More Information

In light of these revelations, the Trump campaign has called for greater transparency from the Biden administration. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump Campaign National Press Secretary, questioned whether the Biden campaign had any knowledge of or involvement with the stolen materials sent by the Iranian hackers. "Kamala and Biden must come clean on whether they used the hacked material given to them by the Iranians to hurt President Trump," Leavitt said in a statement.

However, the Harris-Walz campaign has denied any wrongdoing. Morgan Finkelstein, a spokesperson for the campaign, stated that while individuals associated with the Biden campaign were among those targeted by Iranian hackers, there is no evidence to suggest that any stolen materials were sent directly to the campaign itself.

“We have cooperated with the appropriate law enforcement authorities since we were made aware that individuals associated with the then-Biden campaign were among the intended victims of this foreign influence operation,” Finkelstein said. She further clarified that the emails appeared to be phishing attempts, adding, "We condemn in the strongest terms any effort by foreign actors to interfere in U.S. elections."

Ongoing Investigations and Election Security

The FBI and U.S. intelligence agencies are continuing to monitor the situation closely as the election draws nearer. They have pledged to track foreign interference and work with victims of these cyberattacks to prevent further attempts to undermine the democratic process. With the stakes high and foreign adversaries determined to disrupt the election, authorities are on high alert to protect the integrity of the vote.

The FBI's investigation will remain a priority as officials attempt to identify and disrupt the threat actors responsible for these attacks. The agency has reassured the public that they are taking every step necessary to safeguard the election.

In summary, the Iranian phishing campaign against the 2024 U.S. presidential election has raised significant concerns about the ongoing threat of foreign influence. With both the Trump and Biden campaigns targeted, and foreign actors showing no signs of slowing their efforts, intelligence agencies remain on high alert to ensure the security of the electoral process.