CNN —Iran is attempting to covertly stoke protests in the United States related to the conflict in Gaza, US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said in a statement on Tuesday, posing as activists online and, in some cases, 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,” Haines said.
“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,” she said.
Those protests have been hugely divisive domestically, making them a ripe target for foreign actors — like Iran — interested in amplifying discord within the US.
A US intelligence assessment released in December reported that Iran also tried to meddle in the 2022 midterm elections.
Persons:
of National Intelligence Avril Haines, ” Haines, ”, “, —, Haines
Organizations:
CNN, stoke, of National Intelligence, Hamas
Locations:
Iran, United States, Gaza, Israel, Tehran