Iran-linked hackers have breached FBI Director Kash Patel’s personal email account, publishing private emails and photographs online. The hacking group, Handala Hack Team, claimed responsibility for the breach, which included personal and work-related correspondence dating back to 2010. A Justice Department official confirmed the breach, stating that Patel’s emails were compromised, though the FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Handala Hack Team, which has been linked to Iran’s cyber intelligence units, posted the leaked material on its website, including photos of Patel and documents allegedly from his personal email. The group claimed the breach was in retaliation for the FBI’s seizure of its domains earlier this month. The FBI has acknowledged the breach but stated that the information involved is historical and does not include government data.
The hack comes amid broader tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with the Handala Hack Team previously targeting U.S. entities, including a recent cyberattack on medical device manufacturer Stryker. The U.S. government has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to the identification of the hackers.