Russia and Iran have tried to interfere in next month's presidential election in the United States, US National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe accused Wednesday (October 21).

The announcement illustrates concern among senior U.S. officials about the willingness of foreign actors to undermine U.S. confidence in the integrity of the presidential election and to spread disinformation in an attempt to influence the outcome of the ballot.

"We were able to confirm that some voter registration information was obtained by Iran and, separately, by Russia," John Ratcliffe said at a hastily organized press conference attended by also the director of the FBI, Chris Wray.

While most of this information is public or marketable, the director of national intelligence said US authorities have "already found that Iran has sent spoof emails in order to intimidate voters, incite social unrest and harm President Trump ".

Proud Boys

The announcement was made after Democratic voters said they had received threatening emails addressed to them personally on behalf of the "Proud Boys", a far-right group.

"We are in possession of all your information. You are currently registered as a Democrat and we know that because we have access to the entire electoral infrastructure," one of those emails read.

"You're going to vote Trump on election day, or you'll be dealing with us."

Some experts believe that, if John Ratcliffe is right, it is likely that Iran tried to damage Donald Trump's image by highlighting the support he enjoys from white supremacists and the sometimes violent nature of these latter.

The intelligence director also claimed that Iran, the pet peeve of Donald Trump, had released a video suggesting that people could send fraudulent ballots, including from abroad.

U.S. intelligence agencies have warned in the past that Iran may try to interfere in the election in order to harm Donald Trump and that Russia is trying to help the Republican president win a new term.

With Reuters and AFP

The summary of the week

France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 application

google-play-badge_FR