WASHINGTON — Pro-Iran hackers breached the personal email account of FBI Director Kash Patel and published photographs and documents from it online, the FBI and Justice Department confirmed on Friday.
The group known as the Handala Hack Team claimed responsibility for the intrusion into Patel’s Gmail account. The hackers posted materials including what appeared to be his resume, personal photos and other correspondence dating mostly from 2010 to 2019. A Justice Department official said the leaked items appeared authentic and were “historical in nature.” The FBI stated that no government systems or classified information were compromised.
The breach occurred amid the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran that began with strikes on Iranian targets in late February. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. and allied positions, including a strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia that wounded at least 10 U.S. service members. Iranian forces have also maintained restrictions on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, sharply reducing traffic in the vital waterway.
Patel, who became the ninth FBI director on Feb. 20, 2025, has been a prominent figure in the Trump administration. The hackers described the action as part of broader efforts against U.S. officials during the conflict. Cybersecurity experts have noted an increase in activity by Iran-linked groups targeting American entities since the military operations escalated.
The incident highlights vulnerabilities in personal email accounts of high-profile government officials. The FBI has advised agencies and personnel to strengthen personal cybersecurity practices amid heightened threats from Iranian-affiliated actors. Similar hack-and-leak operations by pro-Iran groups have targeted other U.S. companies and organizations in recent weeks.
As of Saturday, the Handala Hack Team had not released additional materials from the account. The FBI continued to investigate the breach while monitoring for further cyber activity linked to the conflict. Diplomatic and military developments in the Middle East, including efforts to resolve the situation at the Strait of Hormuz, remained ongoing.
