Iran, China Seen as Big Threat to 2020 US Election

U.S. officials are concerned that China and Iran could pose a cybersecurity threat in the 2020 presidential election.

According to Axios, the disinformation campaigns could be similar to what Russia did leading up to the 2016 U.S. election.

Facebook and Twitter, Axios reported, have removed several fake accounts that originated in Iran from their platforms this year. The accounts were flagged for posting misinformation about U.S. politics.

There is no evidence yet to indicate China is doing the same thing, but the communist nation is accused of trying to spread misinformation on social media in regards to the unrest in Hong Kong. Some are concerned that China could target the U.S. next.

U.S. officials believe Iran was behind the weekend attacks on a key Saudi Arabian oil facility, along with recent drone and mine attacks on other facilities in the region. Iran has also taken control of oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

• NY Times: US Cyberattack Thwarts Iran's Tanker Targeting
• Iran Seizes Ship with Filipino Crew for Alleged Fuel Smuggling in Gulf