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According to multiple news outlets citing sources within the FBI and Trump transition team, Trump’s nominee for director of the FBI has been targeted in a cyberattack believed to have originated from Iranian hackers.

Something you should know before you read: Last week, President-Elect Trump nominated Kash Patel as his choice for FBI Director. Patel, a longtime ally of Trump, served in key national security roles during the first Trump administration, including as a senior aide at the National Security Council and the Department of Defense. Known for his aggressive stance against what he terms the “deep state,” Patel has vowed to reform the FBI and make the agency less “politicized.” In addition, Patel has been a vocal critic of Iran, which he has described as a major sponsor of terrorism and a direct threat to American interests.

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What’s going on now: Initially reported by Semafor, Patel was reportedly the target of a cyberattack believed to have originated from Iranian hackers. While the details remain unclear, sources suggest the attack may have compromised some of Patel’s communications, although the full scope of the breach is yet to be determined. 

This all comes as Iranian hackers have targeted individuals within Trump’s orbit, including key allies and campaign staff, in the months leading up to the election. Among those targeted were Vice President-Elect JD Vance, whose vetting documents were obtained and disseminated by Iranian operatives using false identities, and other figures like Trump attorney Todd Blanche, who was involved in Trump’s legal and campaign efforts. The hacking campaigns, which included phishing attempts and breaches of private communications, were part of broader efforts by Iranian actors to disrupt Trump’s reelection efforts and sow discord within his camp.

The Iranian government has previously dismissed allegations made by US officials, including claims of election interference and hacking incidents, calling them “baseless.”

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