  GETTY IMAGES ‘We have observed actors tied to Iran’s government posing as activists online, seeking to encourage protests, and even providing financial support to protesters,’ Avril Haines saidBy Marc Rod Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said on Tuesday that the Iranian government has both provoked and provided funding for protests in the U.S. over the war in Gaza, suggesting that connections between U.S.-based demonstrators and the Iranian regime and its affiliates go deeper than previously believed. “In recent weeks, Iranian government actors have sought to opportunistically take advantage of ongoing protests regarding the war in Gaza, using a playbook we’ve seen other actors use over the years,” Haines said in a public statement. “We have observed actors tied to Iran’s government posing as activists online, seeking to encourage protests, and even providing financial support to protesters.” The statement doesn’t specifically say which protests have been influenced by Iranian actors, how much funding has been provided and for what purpose, when the influence operations began or what the viewpoints of the protesters in question have been. Other foreign adversaries, like Russia, have played both sides of U.S.-based protests in the interest of inciting domestic division and conflict. “Americans who are being targeted by this Iranian campaign may not be aware that they are interacting with or receiving support from a foreign government,” Haines continued. “We urge all Americans to remain vigilant as they engage online with accounts and actors they do not personally know.” You May Have MissedTLV TO DCHostage families to fly on Netanyahu’s plane to attend address to CongressSeveral families plan to be on the Hill, while others call on Netanyahu to call off his address; flight to be the first on Israel’s 'Air Force One'. META MOVEMeta updates hate speech policy on term ‘Zionist’ to include attacks on Jews and IsraelisThe social media platform will remove content that links the term with antisemitic tropes, denials of existence or dehumanizing language. Read more...       |
7.09.2024
U.S. director of national intelligence says Iran is influencing and funding Gaza war protests
