U.S. Officials Accuse Iran and Russia of Seeking to Influence Election

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Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe and FBI Director Christopher Wray accused Iran and Russia Wednesday of obtaining voter data in an attempt to influence the U.S. presidential election.

In a news conference, the officials accused Iran of being behind emails sent to Democrat voters in battleground states that appear to be intimidating them to vote for President Donald Trump. Both Iran and Russia have obtained voter identification information, though such data is publicly accessible. These efforts, according to officials, are meant to undermine American's confidence in election results.

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Iran is behind threatening, spoofed emails sent to voters, the officials said, but there was no indication that any votes themselves had been altered.

Iran and Russia have both obtained American voter registration data, top national security officials announced late on Wednesday, providing the first concrete evidence that the two countries are stepping in to try to influence the presidential election as it enters its final two weeks.

The Iranian regime is behind spoof emails sent to Americans, ā€œdesigned to intimidate voters, incite social unrest, and damage President Trump,ā€ Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Wednesday night. He added an assurance that despite claims to the contrary in the emails, ā€œyour votes are secure.ā€

Ratcliffe was speaking alongside FBI Director Christopher Wray at a hastily-arranged press conference, following reports of people in Florida receiving emails demanding that they vote for Trump – ā€œor we will come after you.ā€

Iranian influence specialists are behind threatening emails sent to voters in Alaska and Florida, U.S. officials said on Wednesday evening and suggested that more such interference could be in store from Russia.

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said the U.S. intelligence community believes Iranian and Russian operatives obtained voter-record information, which enabled Iran to target some people with intimidating emails based on party registration about how they'd better vote for President Trump "or else."