Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-21**Lead**
A new warning from a cybersecurity analyst has highlighted Iran’s intensifying efforts to exploit information warfare as a tool to weaken the United States from the inside. The strategy, described as an attempt to “create a rot from within,” relies on a combination of cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and social media manipulation to erode public trust, fuel division, and destabilize democratic institutions. The analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, emphasized that these operations are not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated, long-term strategy orchestrated by Iranian state actors.
**Context**
Iran’s use of information warfare is not new, but its scope and sophistication have grown dramatically in recent years. According to declassified intelligence reports and analyses from cybersecurity firms, Iranian hackers and influence operatives have targeted US critical infrastructure, media outlets, and political campaigns. In 2024, US intelligence agencies noted a significant uptick in Iran-linked disinformation activities ahead of the presidential election, including the creation of fake news websites and the use of bot networks to amplify divisive content. These efforts are often designed to exploit existing societal tensions, such as racial inequality, immigration debates, and political polarization, to widen the gaps within American society.
A key component of Iran’s strategy is the use of cyberattacks against government agencies and private companies. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has repeatedly issued alerts about Iranian threat actors targeting sectors like energy, finance, and healthcare. These attacks are not only aimed at disruption but also at gathering intelligence that can then be weaponized for influence operations. For example, stolen emails or sensitive documents may be selectively leaked to embarrass officials or manipulate public perception. The end goal, analysts say, is not necessarily to achieve immediate victory but to gradually degrade the United States’ social and political cohesion over time.
**Analysis**
This type of “rot from within” approach is particularly insidious because it is difficult to attribute and counter. Unlike conventional military threats, information warfare operates in a gray zone, where the lines between speech, propaganda, and attack are blurred. Iranian operatives often use proxies or masked networks to hide their involvement, making it challenging for US authorities to respond directly. Moreover, the very nature of disinformation is that it thrives on the speed and virality of modern media. Once false narratives are seeded, they can spread across platforms before fact-checkers can intervene, eroding trust in media, government, and science.
The analyst warns that the United States is currently ill-prepared to address this threat comprehensively. While there have been efforts to bolster cybersecurity and media literacy, the scale of Iranian operations often outstrips the response capacity. The analyst highlights that the “rot” metaphor is apt because the damage happens slowly, often unnoticed until it reaches a tipping point. For instance, repeated exposure to polarizing content can desensitize populations and normalize extreme viewpoints, making democratic compromise more difficult. This is precisely the type of outcome Iran seeks: a U.S. so internally fractured that it cannot project power abroad or maintain a unified foreign policy against Tehran’s interests.
**Sources**
This article is based on the analyst’s statements, which were reported in a cybersecurity briefing obtained by the FORTIS NEWS team. Additional context draws from declassified U.S. intelligence reports, CISA alerts, and published analyses by private cybersecurity firms such as Mandiant and Recorded Future. No direct quotes from Iranian officials are included, as the focus is on the warning issued by the analyst about Iranian activities.