The FBI has launched an investigation into allegations made by the Trump campaign that it was targeted by hackers working for the Iranian government. The agency confirmed the probe on Monday, stating that they are looking into the matter without specifically naming former President Trump or Iran.
According to a Trump campaign spokesman, documents were illegally obtained by “foreign sources hostile to the United States.” However, Iranian officials have denied any involvement in the hack, and the US government has not formally accused Iran.
The investigation also includes incidents in which members of the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris campaign were targeted by hackers, as reported by the Washington Post. Microsoft recently released a report indicating that Iranian hackers targeted the campaign of an unnamed US presidential candidate in June, using spear-phishing emails to try and gain access to sensitive information.
President Trump downplayed the hack, stating that the hackers were only able to access publicly available information. However, three staff members of the Biden-Harris campaign were also targeted by phishing emails prior to President Biden announcing his candidacy.
Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell have called for more transparency from the FBI regarding the hacking attempts, citing the slow response to Russian interference in the 2016 election. Swalwell also criticized Trump for seeking foreign hacking in the past and emphasized the importance of not tolerating foreign interference in US elections.
The investigation comes amidst heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with previous warnings of Iranian plots to assassinate US officials. The US Justice Department recently charged a Pakistani man with ties to Iran for allegedly plotting to assassinate US officials, including the former president.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications of foreign interference in US elections continue to be a major concern for lawmakers and officials alike.
