The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed that a hacking group linked to Iran compromised the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel, exposing a cache of private communications and photographs.
According to an FBI spokesperson, the stolen materials are “historical in nature and involve no government information.” The agency added that it has taken steps to mitigate any potential risks stemming from the breach.
The leak reportedly includes personal messages dating back to 2010 and 2019, as well as images allegedly taken from Patel’s account.
The cyberattack has been attributed to “Handala,” a hacking group believed to have ties to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). The group claimed responsibility for the breach allegedly carried out as retaliation for recent FBI actions targeting its operations.
Last week, US authorities seized several domains allegedly used by the group and announced a $10 million reward for information leading to the identification or capture of its members. Despite the crackdown, Handala has continued its activities, launching new websites and issuing threats against US and Israeli officials. Earlier this month, Handala claimed responsibility for a destructive attack on US-based medical tech company Stryker, wiping thousands of the company’s devices.