A US intelligence official has disclosed that the Iranian government is offering financial support for anti-Israel protests on American college campuses, which have included anti-Semitic rhetoric. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines stated that actors linked to the Iranian government have been posing as activists online, encouraging protests, and providing financial assistance to protesters. This revelation comes as part of regular updates on threats of election interference from foreign countries.
Iranian leaders have openly praised the anti-Israel student movement, which has spread to various university campuses and involved the use of anti-Semitic language. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, has expressed support for the protesters and likened them to a branch of the global network of terrorist groups funded by Iran. Congressional Republicans have initiated investigations into the funding behind these protests, although Haines clarified that not all protesters are necessarily linked to Tehran.
Haines emphasized the importance of Americans being vigilant when interacting online with accounts and actors they do not know personally, as foreign actors may seek to exploit domestic debates for their own purposes. This statement marks the first time the US government has confirmed Iran’s direct involvement in promoting the university movement. Former Iran policy official Gabriel Noronha commended Haines’ statement as a positive step in recognizing the threats posed by the Iranian regime.
The involvement of President Biden’s special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, in an Iranian influence network exposed by the media last year raises concerns about potential foreign influence within the US government. The intelligence community had previously warned of Iranian efforts to influence US elections, highlighting operations in 2020 to steal voter information, spread election disinformation, and send threatening emails. The report also indicated that Iranian actors have developed new techniques combining cyber and influence capabilities for potential deployment during the 2024 US election cycle.
Overall, the revelations regarding Iran’s financial support for anti-Israel protests on American college campuses underscore the ongoing threat of foreign interference in domestic affairs. The Biden administration’s increased awareness of Iranian influence operations signals a shift towards recognizing and addressing these threats. Efforts to safeguard the integrity of US elections and protect against foreign manipulation remain a priority for national security officials.
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https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/iran-finances-u-s-campus-protests-top-intel-official/amp/