Tehran plans cyber and recruitment push for US and Israeli votes

Iranian officials told The Telegraph on Thursday that Tehran is preparing to interfere in the United States midterm elections scheduled for November 3. These plans follow an Israeli general election held on Tuesday, where results have left both major political blocs without an immediate path to power. The British newspaper reported that Iranian leaders view these two events as chances to weaken their main adversaries politically while an ongoing conflict persists.

The strategy involves more than just watching results. Officials said Tehran has established cyber groups to target voting systems in both countries. They have also examined ways to recruit individuals working within the electoral processes. One official described the operations as an extension of the military confrontation with Washington and Jerusalem. The goal is to destabilize both nations rather than to ensure a specific candidate wins.

Israeli authorities had raised concerns before the Tuesday vote. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran and its regional proxies were considering interference, including cyber operations. Despite these warnings, the Telegraph report noted that there is no confirmed proof Iranian operatives have successfully penetrated the voting systems in either country.

In Israel, the Central Elections Committee released projections on Wednesday. Netanyahu’s bloc is projected to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. Gadi Eisenkot’s opposition bloc is projected to win 48 seats. Arab parties are projected to win 19 seats combined. Fadahossein Maleki, a member of the Iranian parliament’s national security and foreign policy committee, said these Arab parties seek to prevent Netanyahu from forming another government. This could lead to prolonged negotiations or another election, a state of paralysis that would limit Israel’s ability to make major strategic decisions while Iran rebuilds its military.

In the United States, Tehran hopes Democratic gains in Congress will restrict President Donald Trump’s ability to continue military operations. The midterms will decide control of the House of Representatives and about one-third of the Senate. Amir Ali Abolfath, an Iranian analyst, said historical patterns and polls suggest Democrats have a strong chance to take the House. He noted that while congressional opposition could complicate operations, the president retains substantial authority as commander-in-chief.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei publicly dismissed the Israeli vote on Monday. He described it as a contest between rival factions that would continue hostile policies toward Iran regardless of the outcome. In December 2025, State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman warned that Israel faced shortcomings in its preparedness for foreign digital interference. That warning cited intensifying Iranian cyberattacks and espionage attempts ahead of the 2026 election.

Senior Iranian officials said Tehran is prepared for a diplomatic settlement but ready to respond forcefully if hostilities resume. A future Iranian response would not necessarily be confined to American military assets. The officials emphasized that Tehran is not relying on the elections to end the conflict and remains prepared for further fighting.