Kash Patel, US President-elect Donald Trump’s Federal Bureau of Investigation director nominee, was notified by the agency that it had been targeted in an “Iranian hack,” CNN reported, citing sources. According to an unnamed source, the hackers may have accessed some of Kash Patel’s communications. While not commenting directly on the hack, Donald Trump’s transition spokesperson, Alex Pfeiffer, said Kash Patel had played a significant role in the first Trump administration’s efforts against Iran and would implement Trump’s policies to safeguard America as FBI Director.
“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,” Trump transition spokesman Alex Pfeiffer was quoted as saying by The Washington Post. Multiple sources cited by US media reports said that the FBI informed Kash Patel and Donald Trump’s team about the cyberattack.
However, the Trump transition team did not directly confirm or comment on the incident. The incident comes amid increased foreign hacking attempts targeting Trump’s inner circle. Last month, the FBI informed Todd Blanche, Trump’s lead attorney and nominee for deputy attorney general, that Chinese hackers had tapped his cellphone, according to sources. The Chinese government has denied any involvement.