Iran is secretly trying to fuel protests in the United States related to the Gaza conflict, according to Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Avril Haines. In a statement released Tuesday, Haines revealed that Iranian operatives are posing as activists online and, in some instances, offering financial support to protesters.
"I want to be clear that I know Americans who participate in protests are, in good faith, expressing their views on the conflict in Gaza – this intelligence does not indicate otherwise," Haines said, as reported by CNN. She emphasized that many Americans targeted by this Iranian campaign may be unaware they are interacting with or receiving support from a foreign government.
New warning: Iran trying to stoke Gaza protests in U.S. - CNN https://t.co/FrMGVOgXzm
— Charlie Davis (@CharlesPDavis) July 10, 2024
The DNI urged vigilance, particularly when engaging online with unfamiliar accounts or actors. This warning comes as protests over the Gaza conflict continue to spread across the United States, with college campuses becoming hotbeds of demonstration.
US officials believe that Iran, despite its historical support for Hamas, has been calibrating its response to Israel's military actions in Gaza to avoid direct, prolonged conflict. However, Tehran continues to seek ways to challenge both the US and Israel indirectly.
Haines noted that in recent weeks, "Iranian government actors have sought to opportunistically take advantage of ongoing protests regarding the war in Gaza." This aligns with previous warnings from US officials about Iran's increasingly aggressive foreign influence efforts.
The Gaza conflict has sparked intense debate and division within the United States, making it an attractive target for foreign actors like Iran looking to amplify discord. Protesters have expressed horror at the civilian casualties in Gaza resulting from Israel's military campaign against Hamas, which began after the October 7 attack on southern Israel.
This is not the first time Iran has been accused of meddling in US affairs. A US intelligence assessment from December revealed that Iran attempted to interfere in the 2022 midterm elections, aiming to exploit perceived social divisions and undermine confidence in US democratic institutions. CNN previously reported that Iranian operatives also prepared fake, AI-generated content as part of a campaign to influence US voters in the final weeks of the 2020 election campaign.
