A cyber group linked to the Iranian government has targeted thousands of American service members and other US government officials in cyberattacks over recent months. The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that the Handala Hack Team on Tuesday published the names and other personal details of 2,379 US Marines stationed in the Persian Gulf region.
The hackers shared identifying information on Telegram, presenting the leak as evidence of their 'surveillance capabilities'. According to Iraq-based Shafaq News, the US personnel stationed in the region were sent threatening messages on WhatsApp, warning that they were under watch and could be targeted. The group further claimed it had access to deeper layers of data, including family information, home addresses, and even details about daily routines and troop movements. It also signalled that more disclosures could follow.
Pentagon Launches Probe
According to US officials, the Pentagon has launched a probe into the claims, but initial indications are that at least some of the names released are those of military members. Investigators believe Handala is also targeting members of other service branches, the official added.
“This is just a drop in the ocean of our surveillance capabilities,” the group wrote in its post, saying it has the names and identities of 'tens of thousands of American military personnel in the region,' and 'detailed knowledge of their families, home addresses, bases, daily commutes, shopping habits, and even their nightly leisure activities.'
Last month, Handala had publicly claimed the breach of FBI Director Kash Patel's personal inbox, publishing photographs of the director and his purported resume on the internet. On its website, the hacker group Handala Hack Team said Patel 'will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims.'
Political Context
This comes as US President Donald Trump recently claimed that Iran had reached out under mounting pressure. 'Iran has just informed us that they are in a 'State of Collapse.' They want us to 'Open the Hormuz Strait' as soon as possible,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. In a separate post, he said, 'Iran can't get their act together. They don't know how to sign a non-nuclear deal. They better get smart soon!'
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