The United States has officially imposed sanctions on entities in Iran and Russia, accusing them of endeavoring to manipulate the upcoming 2024 US election through various disinformation tactics. This decisive move was announced by the US Treasury Department, which highlighted that the targets include a subsidiary of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps and a Moscow-based organization affiliated with Russia’s military intelligence. These groups are alleged to have aimed at “stoking socio-political tensions” in a bid to influence the electorate during the crucial election period.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized that the governments of Iran and Russia have actively sought to undermine US electoral processes and foster division among the American populace. He stated, “The United States will remain vigilant against adversaries who would undermine our democracy” (The Guardian).

According to the Treasury, since at least 2023, the Cognitive Design Production Center, linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, has engaged in spreading disinformation designed to incite socio-political unrest. Similarly, the Center for Geopolitical Expertise in Russia has been implicated in manipulating video content to propagate baseless accusations against at least one vice-presidential candidate, although specific details regarding the candidate remain undisclosed.

The sanctions will trigger the blocking of all properties and assets related to the implicated entities within the US and could entail further financial ramifications for those engaging with these sanctioned individuals (USA Today).