KABUL: The United States has announced a $10 million reward for information on Iran-linked hacking groups following a cyberattack targeting the personal email of Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
According to The Guardian on Friday night, hackers allegedly linked to Iran accessed Patel’s account and released images and documents online. Both the hackers and the FBI have acknowledged the incident.
U.S. officials said the State Department’s Rewards for Justice Program is offering a reward for information leading to the identification of groups including “Parsian Afzar Rayan Barna” and “Hanzala Group.”
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson said the leaked materials were historical in nature and did not contain sensitive government information, adding: “We have taken steps to mitigate potential risks.”
The cyberattack has drawn widespread media attention amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.