Iranian Hackers Threaten to Publicize Trump Assistants’ Emails: A New Phase in Cyber-Political Warfare
Recent weeks have seen a new wave of cyberattacks by Iranian hacker groups involved in a complex geopolitical game surrounding the disclosure of classified information related to the U.S. political leadership. Reports from Reuters reveal that a mysterious Iran-linked group has announced plans to release even more emails stolen from the correspondence of assistants and senior officials of former President Donald Trump. This development unfolds amidst uncertain motives and intentions, raising significant concerns and speculations about the possible objectives of such actions. According to leaked data, the approximately hundred gigabytes of information include emails from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump's attorney Lindsay Halligan, advisor Roger Stone, and adult film star Stormy Daniels, who had legal conflicts with Trump. The hackers provided no detailed descriptions of the contents. Meanwhile, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice condemned these cyberattacks as criminal acts jeopardizing national security and threatening the integrity of the state. U.S. Attorney General Pem Bondi stated that the theft of these emails is an «unacceptable and irresponsible act of cyber warfare», while FBI Director Kash Pate emphasized the agency's readiness to hold accountable all those involved and called for heightened vigilance regarding potential risks. Official statements affirm that these actions are not accidental but are part of a targeted digital propaganda campaign aimed at discrediting the former American leader and destabilizing domestic stability. The motives behind these actions remain unclear. Although Tehran has previously denied involvement in cyber espionage and hacking activities, analyses from experts suggest that the operations are likely orchestrated by government bodies, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Recently, the group operating under the pseudonym «Robert» has intensified its activities amid rising regional tensions and after military conflicts between Israel and Iran. Interestingly, after Trump’s successful presidential term, Iran announced a halt to the leaks. However, recent events, including the conflict between Israel and Iran, revived Iranian cyber activity, fueling concerns over potential escalation. Hackers have told Reuters they aim to continue this game, selling stolen emails and seeking media attention. Analysts believe these actions are part of a broader strategy to weaken and neutralize external threats and prepare for future conflicts. Frederick Kagan noted that Iran is currently facing significant losses in its conflict with Israel and is attempting to respond cautiously through asymmetric actions to avoid large-scale military escalation. Meanwhile, U.S. cybersecurity experts warn that further significant Iranian attacks remain plausible at any moment, urging companies and critical infrastructure operators to enhance their defenses. Thus, many questions about future Iranian hacker actions and their impact on global security and regional stability remain open, especially as diplomatic and military tensions in the region continue to escalate.