WASHINGTON, USA: Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign has accused the Iranian government of hacking into its internal communications. The campaign’s claim follows reports that hackers linked to the Iranian government attempted to breach the account of a high-ranking official on a US presidential campaign.
Although no direct evidence was provided, the Trump campaign’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, linked the alleged cyberattack to past tensions between Trump and Iran, highlighting the potential for foreign interference in the U.S. election.
The situation came to light after Politico reported that it had received emails containing internal Trump campaign documents, including a report on potential vulnerabilities of running mate JD Vance. The Trump campaign quickly pointed fingers at foreign adversaries, particularly Iran, accusing them of trying to disrupt the democratic process.
Trump further fueled these allegations on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he claimed that Microsoft had notified his campaign about the Iranian hack. While Trump asserted that the hackers only accessed publicly available information, the details remain vague. Microsoft, which had earlier reported on Iranian cyber activities targeting U.S. political figures, did not disclose specific identities involved, and Iran has denied any intent to interfere in U.S. elections.
The Trump campaign’s accusations come against the backdrop of a contentious history with Iran, marked by the 2020 killing of Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal during Trump’s presidency. With tensions high and accusations flying, this incident underscores the ongoing concerns about foreign interference in U.S. elections as the 2024 race heats up.
