The United States government today announced the imposition of sanctions on two organizations—one based in Iran and the other in Russia—linked to attempts to interfere in the 2024 U.S. general election. The sanctions target the Cognitive Design Production Center (CPDC), a subsidiary of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise, along with its director, Valery Mikhaylovich Korovin. These entities and individuals are affiliated with the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and were involved in efforts to stoke sociopolitical divisions and undermine the integrity of U.S. elections.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed these sanctions as part of its continued efforts to hold state-sponsored actors accountable for attempts to interfere in American democracy. These actions are in line with the United States’ broader strategy to disrupt malicious foreign influence campaigns and counter illicit cyber activities targeting democratic institutions.
Unyielding Commitment to Election Integrity
Today’s sanctions reflect the U.S. government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the electoral process from foreign interference. The individuals and entities sanctioned were found to have played roles in efforts to destabilize political discourse in the United States and erode public confidence in the democratic process during the recent elections.
Matthew Miller, Department of State Spokesperson, noted that the sanctions are part of a larger pattern of U.S. actions aimed at disrupting attempts by both Iran and Russia to meddle in American elections. “The United States remains vigilant against all efforts by foreign actors to influence our democratic institutions,” Miller said in a press release. “We continue to prioritize holding accountable those who seek to undermine the trust of the American people in their electoral system.”
Broader Sanctions Framework
The sanctions announced today are executed under Executive Order (E.O.) 13848, the U.S. election interference authority, which grants the U.S. government the power to impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities engaged in election-related activities that threaten national security or public confidence. This move also builds on the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to combat Russia’s and Iran’s global malign activities, which have included cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and other destabilizing actions targeting democratic processes both at home and abroad.
The U.S. Treasury Department’s actions further exemplify the ongoing strategic cooperation between U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies to track and thwart external efforts to manipulate political outcomes.
Ensuring Accountability
The sanctions against CPDC and the Center for Geopolitical Expertise send a clear message that interference in U.S. elections will not go unpunished. The U.S. government continues to work with international partners to protect democratic values, strengthen election security, and ensure that foreign interference is met with accountability.
The sanctions include asset freezes and a prohibition on U.S. citizens or entities doing business with the sanctioned individuals and organizations. For further details on today’s sanctions and related actions, the U.S. Treasury Department has released additional information through its press statement.
As tensions around election interference persist globally, the United States remains steadfast in its resolve to defend the sanctity of its democratic institutions.