Iran Leverages AI To Expand Influence Operations

Tehran is increasingly using artificial intelligence to enhance covert influence and cyber operations targeting Israel and Western societies, analysts told The Press Service of Israel on Jan. 19, 2026. State directives and new AI institutions, plus IRGC interest, have formalized AI as a national priority, enabling groups like STORM 2035, CyberAv3ngers and APT42 to scale multilingual disinformation, phishing and reconnaissance. Experts say this increases verification challenges and election-interference risks abroad.