A senior Microsoft official announced that the company had “detected cyberattacks [from Iran, China and Russia] targeting people and organisations involved in the upcoming presidential election”, noting that “Phosphorus, operating from Iran, has continued to attack the personal accounts of people associated with the Donald J. Trump for President campaign”.  He went on to indicate that “last month, as part of our ongoing efforts to disrupt Phosphorus activity, Microsoft was again given permission by a federal court in Washington D.C. to take control of 25 new internet domains used by the Phosphorus… To date, we have used this method to take control of 155 Phosphorus domains”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently argued that “the U.S. has interfered in elections in other countries, including Iran, and it is not in the position to make such farcical claims”. He added that “Iran is not concerned about who will take presidency… What is important is Washington’s commitment to international law, regulation and norms and also non-interference in other countries’ affairs”.