Iran, Russia have information of US voters: FBI

Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said said both Iran and Russia have obtained US voter registration information in an effort to interfere in the election, including Iran posing as the far-right group Proud Boys to send intimidating emails to voters.

Ratcliffe, appearing alongside FBI Director Chris Wray, said at a hastily arranged news conference Wednesday evening that Iran was responsible for the email campaign, made to look like it came from the Proud Boys, as well as spreading disinformation about voter fraud through a video linked in some of the emails.

Mr Ratcliffe also said US officials found Iran and Russia had obtained "some voter registration information".

The announcement comes 13 days before the presidential election.

The unusual intelligence briefing this close to the vote is seen as a testament to the government's concerns over voting interference and disinformation campaigns from foreign actors.

Mr Ratcliffe said Iran's "spoof emails" claimed to be sent by the far-right Proud Boys group in order to "intimidate voters, incite unrest and damage" President Donald Trump.

"This data can be used by foreign actors to attempt to communicate false information to registered voters that they hope will cause confusion, sow chaos and undermine your confidence in American democracy," Ratcliffe said.