Kash Patel — Donald Trump’s selection to lead the FBI — has become the latest member of the president-elect’s inner circle to fall victim to an Iranian hack, according to a CNN report.
And at least some of Patel’s communications are believed to have been accessed by the hackers, the network reported. A Trump transition spokesman would not comment specifically on the hack but released a statement highlighting Patel’s past efforts against Iran.
“Kash Patel was a key part of the first Trump administration’s efforts against the terrorist Iranian regime and will implement President Trump’s policies to protect America from adversaries as the FBI Director,” Alex Pfeiffer said in the statement to CNN.
The hacking revelations involving Patel are the latest in a string of foreign hacks on those close to Trump in recent months. Patel himself learned Tuesday that he had been targeted as part of the Iranian hack by the same bureau he has been tapped to lead, according to CNN.
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“Last month, the FBI informed Todd Blanche, one of Trump’s lead attorneys and now his pick to be deputy attorney general, that his cellphone was tapped by Chinese hackers, three sources familiar with the matter previously told CNN. The Chinese government has denied US allegations that it is behind that hack,” according to the report.
His apparent hack followed a similar effort aimed at attorney Lindsey Halligan, who the network reported was targeted as part of a separate Iranian hacking plot.
Donald Trump Jr. has also reported that the FBI informed him he was one of Iran’s “top targets,” and in June hackers from that same country breached longtime Trump ally Roger Stone’s email account, according to the report.
“Iran has for several years targeted members of Trump’s first administration and more recently sent information they stole from his presidential campaign to people who were affiliated with President Joe Biden’s campaign this summer,” CNN added.
The network noted that the Iranian government has denied allegations by U.S. officials that it had attempted to meddle in this year's election.
