Iranian government officials pose as ‘activists’ to sow division ahead of US election: national intelligence chief

WASHINGTON – Iranian government officials are posing as “activists” online to sow division in the US ahead of the coming presidential election, a top American intelligence officer warned Tuesday.

“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,” US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said in a 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,” she wrote.