US Prepares Charges Over Iranian Hack of Trump Campaign

The U.S. Justice Department is preparing to file criminal charges against individuals connected to an Iranian cyberattack on Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, aimed at influencing the election. This investigation, led by the FBI, identified an online persona named 'Robert' as a key figure allegedly acting on behalf of the Iranian government to distribute stolen campaign data to media outlets. The hack, which was confirmed in August 2024, resulted in the leak of sensitive internal documents to major news organizations, raising alarms about foreign interference in U.S. elections. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen noted that Iran's efforts to impact the election are more aggressive than in previous cycles, viewing the outcome as crucial to its national security interests. Iranian officials have denied involvement, leading to potential escalations in U.S.-Iran relations if charges are confirmed. The case underscores the growing use of cyber operations in international political conflicts.