Kash Patel, who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to head the FBI, was reportedly recently informed by the bureau that he was being targeted by Iranian hackers.
The hackers may have accessed some of Patel's communications during the cyber attack. CNN reported on tuesday.
The attack targeting the next FBI director is the latest attempt by Iranian hackers to infiltrate President Trump's associates.
In September, the Department of Justice accused Iran of hacking Trump campaign staff and leaking classified information to the media and the campaigns of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in an attempt to undermine the 45th president's White House. Three members of the Revolutionary Guards were indicted. bid.
The U.S. adversary's “extensive hacking campaign” used fake online personas, phishing emails and other social engineering techniques to target four Trump campaign operatives, current and former U.S. government officials and journalists, according to the Justice Department. etc. were targeted.
The hackers reportedly stole documents related to Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and preparation materials for the first debate between Trump and Biden on June 27th.
The indictment against Revolutionary Guards members Masoud Jalili, Seyed Ali Aghamili and Yasar Baragi stems from January 2020, when President Trump ordered an airstrike in Iraq that killed Revolutionary Guards commander Qasem Soleimani. This shows that their operation had begun.
Patel, 44, was announced Saturday as President Trump's choice to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray.
The New York native and longtime Trump ally previously served on the National Security Council, as senior adviser to the acting director of national intelligence, and then as chief of staff to the acting secretary of defense, all roles he held. was. During President Trump's first term.
Mr. Wray's 10-year term does not expire until 2027, but Mr. Patel would have to resign or be fired to take the post, which would also require Senate confirmation.
Trump's transition team announced Tuesday that it will authorize the FBI to conduct background checks on incoming administration officials.
The FBI, Patel's press secretary and Trump's transition team did not respond to requests for comment from the Post.
