The U.S. Treasury Department has announced sanctions against two groups in Russia and Iran accused of orchestrating disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The sanctions come as part of the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to safeguard electoral integrity, following earlier warnings of interference from Russia, Iran, and China. These actions are viewed as vital to maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.
The two sanctioned groups—Russia’s Center for Geopolitical Expertise and Iran’s Cognitive Design Production Center—are accused of using artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake videos and news stories intended to manipulate voter sentiment.
According to U.S. intelligence, these AI-generated deepfake videos were used to malign U.S. candidates and spread misinformation across various platforms, including U.S.-based sites. The Russian group reportedly collaborated with military intelligence to launch cyberattacks and spread counterfeit content, while Iran’s center, tied to the Revolutionary Guard, allegedly fueled political tensions and conducted cyber intrusions into senior officials’ accounts.
While the two nations have denied the allegations, the U.S. government has taken significant steps to freeze the assets of these groups and restrict interactions with them.
Any property or interests owned by the individuals affected by the sanctions will be blocked under U.S. jurisdiction, and these groups will be cut off from conducting business with U.S. persons or entities. These measures signal the U.S.’s continued commitment to countering foreign interference in its democratic systems.
