Officials: To secure election, U.S. conducted cyber operation against Iran


Gen. Paul Nakasone, commander of the United States Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency, told reporters on Tuesday that he is "very confident in actions" taken against foreign actors "over the past several weeks and the past several months to make sure that they're not going to interfere in our elections."
Nakasone did not give any details, but U.S. officials told The Washington Post that the U.S. Cyber Command and NSA took action against Iran, after the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps sent emails to Democratic voters, posing as members of a far-right group. The messages were threatening, and told the voters they needed to cast their ballots for President Trump.
Nakasone said the agencies "had a very good bead on what a number of actors were trying to do" and "we weren't surprised by their actions." They have been working since the 2018 midterms to stop foreign election meddling, he added, and the work will keep going until all the votes are certified. "This is just the start," Nakasone said. "We'll be ready for the days to come."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
U.S. officials told the Post that Nakasone spoke to reporters on Election Day because the government wants to have transparency and ensure voters aren't worried about the integrity of the election.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
September 1 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Monday’s political cartoons include Labor Day picnic, branding strategy, and more
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?
Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
When does autumn begin?
The Explainer The UK is experiencing a 'false autumn', as climate change shifts seasonal weather patterns
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU offices
Speed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022
-
UN votes to end Lebanon peacekeeping mission
Speed Read The Trump administration considers the UN's Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to be a 'waste of money'
-
Israeli double strike on Gaza hospital kills 20
Speed Read The dead include five journalists who worked for The Associated Press, Reuters and Al Jazeera
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
Kyiv marks independence as Russia downplays peace
Speed Read President Vladimir Putin has no plans to meet with Zelenskyy for peace talks pushed by President Donald Trump
-
Trump halts Gaza visas as Israelis protest war
Speed Read Laura Loomer voiced her concerns over injured Palestinian kids being brought to the US for treatment and a potential 'Islamic invasion'
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
US, China extend trade war truce for 90 days
Speed Read The triple-digit tariff threat is postponed for another three months