Iran-linked hackers have breached the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel, releasing personal photographs and over 300 emails from his inbox between 2010 and 2019, the hackers and the bureau confirmed on Friday.
The hacker group Handala Hack Team posted images of Patel smoking cigars, riding in a vintage convertible, and posing with a bottle of rum. The FBI confirmed the breach, with spokesperson Ben Williamson stating that necessary steps have been taken to mitigate risks and that the data is historical and contains no government information.
Handala, considered by Western researchers to be a front for Iranian government cyber units, recently claimed responsibility for hacking medical device maker Stryker and publishing data of Lockheed Martin employees. The group's website was inaccessible late Friday.
Reuters could not independently verify the Patel messages, but the Gmail address matched one linked to Patel in previous data breaches. Gil Messing of Check Point said the leak is part of Iran's strategy to embarrass US officials, noting that similar hacks have targeted figures like John Podesta and John Brennan in the past.
