On July 9, 2024, the U.S. director of national intelligence revealed that Iran was trying to “stoke discord and undermine confidence in our democratic institutions.” Avril Haines said that actors tied to Tehran were encouraging protests over the war in Gaza by posing as activists online and even providing financial support to demonstrators.
Both Haines and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that Americans were participating in protests in good faith, but they cited the government’s duty to report foreign influence operations to the public, especially in advance of elections. “This is important to help Americans guard against efforts by foreign powers to take advantage of or co-opt their legitimate protest activities,” Jean-Pierre told reporters on July 9. The DNI statement is below, followed by comments from the White House.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines on July 9, 2024
“The Intelligence Community recognizes the importance of informing the public of foreign efforts to influence our democratic processes and, consequently, leading into the Presidential and congressional elections this year, we are launching today the first of what will be regular updates regarding such threats.
“Our updates can be expected to cover a range of foreign malign activities and election security threats, as you will see in today’s update. In particular, I would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to concerning Iranian activity.
“As I noted in testimony to the Congress in May, Iran is becoming increasingly aggressive in their foreign influence efforts, seeking to stoke discord and undermine confidence in our democratic institutions, as we have seen them do in the past, including in prior election cycles. They continue to adapt their cyber and influence activities, using social media platforms and issuing threats. It is likely they will continue to rely on their intelligence services in these efforts, as well as Iran-based online influencers, to promote their narratives.
“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. We have observed actors tied to Iran’s government posing as activists online, seeking to encourage protests, and even providing 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. Moreover, the freedom to express diverse views, when done peacefully, is essential to our democracy, but it is also important to warn of foreign actors who seek to exploit our debate for their own purposes.
“Furthermore, 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. We urge all Americans to remain vigilant as they engage online with accounts and actors they do not personally know.”
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on July 9, 2024
“Iran is seeking to opportunistically take advantage of protests. So, I want to echo the DNI’s remarks today. Americans across the — the political spectrum, acting in good faith, have sought to express their own independent views on the conflict in Gaza. The freedom to express diverse views, when done peacefully, is essential to our democracy.
“At the same time, the U.S. government has a duty to warn Americans about foreign malign influences and activities. This is — this is important to help Americans guard against efforts by foreign powers to take advantage of or co-opt their legitimate protest activities. We will continue to provide these warning as they arise.
“And, today, I just want to convey and — and — a firm message from here to Iran and any other foreign actor that seek to conduct these types of influence activities: Meddling in our politics and seeking to stroke [stoke] division is unacceptable, and we will continue to expose attempts to undermind [undermine] our democracy and our society, just as we are today.
“That is something that we will continue to do. The U.S. government will continue to vigorously support and defend Americans in their exercise of their First Amendment rights to protest and express political views peacefully.
“At the same time, we will continue to warn against, expose foreign efforts to meddle in our inter- — internal affairs and attempt to amplify conflict.
“The former is an essential part of a robust, functioning democracy. The latter is a threat, and it will not — it will not — will not be tolerated.”