WASHINGTON: The United States announced the imposition of new sanctions targeting entities in Iran and Russia, citing allegations of efforts to interfere in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections. The sanctions are aimed at curbing the influence of these nations, which are accused of attempting to incite socio-political tensions within the United States. According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the US Treasury Department issued a statement indicating that the sanctions specifically target a subsidiary of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and an organization affiliated with Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU). The statement claims that these entities are involved in activities intended to sway American public opinion during the election period. Despite these assertions, the statement did not provide specific evidence to substantiate the allegations. Bradley Smith, acting deputy assistant secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence at the Treasury Department, reiterated accusations a gainst the Iranian and Russian governments for allegedly interfering in the United States' electoral processes and institutions. Iranian authorities have consistently denied such allegations, dismissing them as baseless pretexts used by the US to justify the continuation of sanctions initiated under the "maximum pressure" policy in 2018. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller highlighted that over 600 sanctions have been imposed on Iranians and Iranian entities since President Joe Biden took office. This approach aligns with the administration's efforts to maintain pressure on Iran over its nuclear program and regional activities. The Wall Street Journal reported that former President Donald Trump, poised for a potential return to the White House, plans to intensify the 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran. The focus would be on limiting Iran's oil exports and diminishing its influence in West Asia. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has previously stated that the initial 'maximum pressure' p olicy resulted in significant resistance and ultimately failed to achieve its objectives. Araghchi pointed out that Iran's nuclear program continued to develop, despite US sanctions, highlighting what he described as the ineffectiveness of the sanctions regime. The tension between the US and Iran remains a critical issue, with the potential to influence international diplomatic relations significantly.