U.S. Treasury Department Sanctions Iranian and Russian Entities

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Tuesday, January 1, that it is sanctioning several Iranian and Russian entities for attempting to interfere in last month's presidential election in the United States. OFAC stated in its announcement that an organization affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and an organization linked to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Russia, associated with the country's military, as well as the director of this organization, are being sanctioned for their 'interference' in the U.S. presidential election with the aim of 'stirring political-social tensions' and 'influencing voters.' In the statement, Bradley T. Smith, Acting Deputy Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, noted that 'the governments of Iran and Russia have targeted our electoral processes and institutions.' He also emphasized that 'the United States will remain vigilant against adversaries who undermine our democracy.' OFAC also referenced a statement from three U.S. intelligence agencies earlier this summer, which accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of seeking to influence the U.S. presidential election through social engineering and cyber infiltration, as well as undermining trust in the American democratic system. OFAC also mentioned sanctions against seven Iranian individuals for their roles in attempts to interfere in the U.S. presidential elections in 2020 and 2024. These sanctions are in line with previous similar actions against the Iranian company 'Imen Net Pasargad,' previously known as 'Net Paygard Samavat,' which played a role in attempting to influence the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Activities of 'Imen Net Pasargad' included voter intimidation and the dissemination of misinformation aimed at creating divisions among American voters. The statement from the U.S. Treasury Department also referred to Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, emphasizing that the Russian government employs tactics such as influence campaigns and illegal cyber activities to undermine national security and the foreign policy interests of the United States and its allies. OFAC added that Moscow typically uses intelligence services, government-directed representatives, and covert influence tools, referencing its interference in U.S. elections, attempts to undermine the democratic system in Moldova, and destabilizing activities in Ukraine.