Iranian state actors since June have latched on to a new set of preferred techniques, combining cyber and influence operations (IO) – what we refer to as cyber-enabled influence operations – for greater geopolitical effect. Multipole Iranian state groups have turned to cyber-enabled IO more regularly to boost, exaggerate, or compensate for shortcoming in their network access or cyberattack capabilities. More fundamentally, they have combined offensive cyber operations with multi-pronged influence operations to fuel geopolitical change in alignment with the regime’s objectives. This has included operations this year that have sought:
- To bolster Palestinian resistance
- Foment Shi’ite unrest in the Bahrain
- Counter the normalization of Arab-Israeli ties
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