An Iran-linked hacktivist group has claimed responsibility for breaching a personal email account belonging to Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel, according to United States media reports. The group, known as the Handala Hack Team, allegedly accessed and published personal photos along with business and travel correspondence dating from 2011 to 2022, before Patel’s appointment as director.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department did not immediately comment on the reported breach. The incident comes amid heightened warnings from the Justice Department about potential cyberattacks by Iranian actors following the launch of the United States and Israeli war on Iran.

Last week, authorities announced the seizure of four website domains allegedly used by hackers affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security, including two reportedly connected to the Handala group. Officials said the sites were used for psychological operations, posting stolen data and issuing threats against journalists, dissidents, and Israeli individuals.

In a recent statement tied to the domain seizures, Patel said Iranian actors would not be allowed to intimidate Americans or silence critics, pledging that law enforcement would pursue those responsible for cyberattacks and threats.