US imposes sanctions on Russia and Iran for interference in this year’s elections
On Tuesday, December 31, the U.S. government announced sanctions against two organizations and individuals in Iran and Russia. The sanctions were imposed for interference in the 2024 US elections.
This was reported by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury (OFAC), Censor.NET reports.
"OFAC is imposing sanctions on an organization subordinate to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as an organization in Moscow affiliated with the Russian GRU and its director," the statement said.
The "blacklist" includes the Cognitive Design Production Center (Iran), which has been planning operations to influence the electorate in the United States since 2023.
Sanctions were also imposed on the Moscow Center for Geopolitical Expertise, founded by Alexander Dugin. The center used artificial intelligence tools and directly interacted with the GRU unit that deals with political interference operations and cyber attacks. Restrictions were also imposed on the center's director, Valery Korovin.
It is noted that these "actors aimed to stir up socio-political tensions and influence the US electorate during the 2024 elections".
"The governments of Iran and Russia have targeted our electoral processes and institutions and sought to divide the American people through targeted disinformation campaigns... The United States will remain vigilant against enemies who undermine our democracy," the US Treasury added.
