March 27, 2026, 1:11 p.m. ET
Hackers linked to the Iranian government have reportedly accessed and published photos and documents from FBI Director Kash Patel‘s personal emails.
“The FBI is aware of malicious actors targeting Director Patel’s personal email information, and we have taken all necessary steps to mitigate potential risks associated with this activity,” the FBI said in a statement March 27.
The hacked materials are “historical in nature,” the FBI said, and don’t involve government information.
The FBI referenced a group “out of Iran” called the “Handala Hack Team,” without explicitly stating the group was behind the attack. The bureau said the group has frequently targeted U.S. government officials, and the Department of State has offered $10 million for information leading to its identification.
The bureau said it will keep pursuing those responsible and share “actionable intelligence,” and encouraged anyone who experiences a cyber breach or has relevant information to contact their local FBI field office.
Reuters first reported on the breach March 27, stating that a Justice Department official confirmed the breach and said material published online appeared to be authentic. CNN reported receiving confirmation from a person familiar with the breach that hackers had accessed and posted materials.
