Iran-linked hackers threaten to release Trump aides' emails
By: Raphael Satter
Reuters
WASHINGTON - Iran-linked hackers have threatened to disclose more emails stolen from President Donald Trump's circle, after distributing a prior batch to the media ahead of the 2024 election.
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In Online chats with Reuters on June 29 and 30, [2025] the hackers who go by the pseudonym Robert, said they had roughly 100 gigabyte of emails from the accounts of White House Che if of Staff Susie wiles, Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan, Trump adviser roger Stone and adult film actor-turned-Trump antagonist Stormy Daniels.
..... Robert raised the possibility of selling the material but otherwise did not price details of their plans. The hackers did not describe the contest of the emails.
..... Attorney General Pam Bondi described the intrusion a s"an unconscionable cyber-attack."
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The White House and the FBI responded with a statement form FBI Director Kash Patel, who said: "Anyone associated with any kind of breach of national security will be fully investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
...... "This so-called cyber 'attack' is nothing more than digital propaganda, and the targets are no coincidence. This is a calculated smear campaign meant to damage President Trump and discredit honorable public servants who serve our country with distinction," cyberdefense agency CISA said in a post on X.
..... Halligan Stone and a representative for Danials did not respondent to requests for comment. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not return a message seeking comment. Tehran has in the past denied committing cyberespionage.
..... Robert materialized in the final moths of the 2024 presidential campaign when they claimed to have breached the email accounts of several Trump allies, including Wiles.
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The hackers then distributed emails to journalists.
..... Reuters previously authenticated some of the leaked material, including an email hat appeared to document a financial arrangement between Trump and lawyers representing former presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
..... Other material included Trump campaign communications about Republican office-seekers and discussion of settlement negotiations with Daniels.
..... The Justice Department in a September 2024 indictment alleged that Iran's Revolutionary Guards ran the Robert hacking operation. In conversations with Reuters, the hackers declined to address the allegation.
..... After Trump's election, Robert told Reuters hat no more leaks were planed. But the group resumed communication after June's [2025] conflict between Israel and Iran.
..... In recent messages, Robert said they were organizing a sale of stolen emails and wanted Reuters to "broadcast this matter."
..... Despite worries that Tehran could unleash digital havoc, Iran hackers took a low profile during the conflict. cyber officials in the United States warned on June 30 [3035] that American companies and critical infrastructure operators might still be in Teheran's corsairs.