Kash Patel, Donald Trump’s nominee for the directorship of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has been targeted by Iranian regime hackers.
According to CNN, the incident occurred just days after 44-year-old Kash Patel was announced as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI.
CNN reported on Wednesday, December 4, citing two informed sources, that the FBI recently informed Kash Patel he had been targeted in a hacking operation by the Iranian regime.
One of the sources stated that the hackers had accessed at least some of Mr. Patel’s communications.
CNN also reported that Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesperson for Donald Trump’s transition team, described Kash Patel in a statement as “a central figure” in the Trump administration’s early efforts against the “terrorist regime of Iran.”
The Trump transition team spokesperson added that, as FBI director, Kash Patel would implement Donald Trump’s policies to “protect America against its enemies.”
During Donald Trump’s first term as president, Kash Patel served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council.
Close associates of Donald Trump have also been targeted by hacking attempts from foreign governments, including Iran and China, in recent months.
Earlier this summer, CNN reported on a hacking attempt by the Iranian regime targeting Lindsey Halligan, one of Donald Trump’s lawyers.
Reuters reported that hackers linked to the Iranian regime also targeted Donald Trump’s campaign during the U.S. presidential election.
Trump’s campaign recently stated that the Iranian regime’s hacking operations were intended to interfere in the 2024 election and disrupt the entire democratic process in the United States.
The Iranian regime has denied allegations of involvement in hacking attacks aimed at interfering in the U.S. presidential election process.
