WASHINGTON — The United States imposed sanctions on organizations and individuals in Iran and Russia on Tuesday, accusing them of attempting to meddle in the 2024 U.S. general election.
According to a press statement released on Tuesday by Mathew Miller, the U.S. state department spokesperson, the sanctions target the Cognitive Design Production Center (CPDC), a group tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise, along with its director, Valery Mikhaylovich Korovin. Both entities are alleged to have worked to “stoke sociopolitical tensions and undermine our election institutions,” according to the State Department.
“This action underscores our commitment to safeguarding the integrity of our democratic processes,” the statement read.
“We will hold state-sponsored actors accountable for their attempts to erode public trust in our institutions.”
The measures, enacted under Executive Order 13848, expand on previous U.S. actions targeting Iran’s disinformation campaigns and Russia’s cyber and influence operations. The Treasury Department, which oversees the sanctions, stated that the moves are part of broader efforts to combat malign interference by foreign actors.
“Today’s actions send a clear message that the United States will not tolerate efforts to subvert our democracy,” the statement added.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
