Kash Patel, Trump’s FBI Pick, Targeted in Iranian Hacking Operation: Sources

Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, has been informed by the bureau that he was the target of a hacking operation allegedly conducted by Iranian actors, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

The hackers are believed to have accessed at least some of Patel’s communications.

Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team, declined to comment directly on the specifics of the hack. However, he emphasized Patel’s role in the Trump administration’s counter-terrorism efforts and his commitment to implementing the president-elect’s policies to protect the US from foreign adversaries as FBI Director.

This incident is the latest in a series of alleged cyberattacks targeting members of Trump’s inner circle. Last month, the FBI notified Todd Blanche, one of Trump’s lead attorneys and his choice for Deputy Attorney General, that his cellphone had been compromised by Chinese hackers, according to three sources previously cited by CNN. The Chinese government has denied US accusations of involvement.

Attorney Lindsey Halligan was also reportedly targeted in a separate Iranian hacking attempt earlier this year. Furthermore, Donald Trump Jr. has publicly stated that the FBI informed him he was a “top target” of Iranian hacking efforts.

These incidents underscore a pattern of alleged Iranian cyber espionage aimed at Trump administration officials and, more recently, efforts to influence the upcoming election. In June, Iranian hackers reportedly breached the email account of Roger Stone, a longtime Trump ally, attempting to use it to access the email account of a senior Trump campaign official.

The Iranian government has consistently denied US claims of election interference.