Iranian hackers expose personal details of thousands of US Marines in Middle East

United States Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a simulated reconnaissance and surveillance mission as part of a simulated amphibious assault at a naval support facility on March 24, 2026 in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territories. (Handout photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrol/U.S. Marine Corps via Getty Images)
A sinister message claimed to know sensitive information about the soldiers’ families (Picture: Getty)

A hacking group linked to the Iranian government has issued deadly threats to US Marines in the Middle East after leaking their personal information.

Handala Hack Team, which is linked to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, has been behind dozens of cyberattacks since December 2023.

On its Telegram channel, they wrote: ‘Today, merely as a demonstration, and to prove the extent of our intelligence superiority, we have published the full personal details of 2,379 U.S. Marines stationed in the Persian Gulf region.

‘This is just a drop in the ocean of our surveillance capabilities. The “security” that American commanders boast about is nothing more than an empty illusion, a childish fantasy.’

The sinister message also claimed to know ‘detailed information’ about the Marines’ families, home addresses, bases, shopping habits and ‘nightly activities’.

The group asserted it possesses data on tens of thousands of personnel, including operational roles and off-duty activities. Handala reportedly sent direct messages to US Marines via WhatsApp, warning that their identities are no longer concealed. The group warned US forces to say final farewells to their families, citing imminent ?Seyed Majid? (It refers to General Seyed Majid Mousavi, the Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force) drone deployments. The statement identified personnel as targets for Shahed drones and Kheybar and Ghadir missiles. Handala announced it will publish general information on all U.S. Navy personnel in the region shortly. Characterizing the forces as terrorists responsible for the deaths of Minab schoolchildren, the group stated it is closely monitoring all movements in preparation for a strike. https://en.mehrnews.com/news/244042/Handala-exposes-US-naval-forces-identities-in-Persian-Gulf
The hacking group exposed photos of FBI head Kash Patel last month (Picture: Mehr)

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‘This exposure is just a minor warning. When zero hour arrives, Kheibar missiles and Shahed drones will rain down not only on those who participated in the crimes of Minab and Gaza, but on every invader who clings to the delusion of immunity,’ it added.

‘Today, we released this limited list so you could feel a glimpse of our true power; Tomorrow, the entire roster may haunt your every night.’

Metro has contacted the US Marine Corps for a statement.

The threatening message referenced the deadly strikes on a primary school in Minab, Iran, in the early days of the conflict.

Minab Girl’s Primary School in the southern province of Hormozgan was struck as Trump launched his ‘combat military operation’, killing 175 children.

TOPSHOT - In this aerial handout picture released by the Iranian Press Center, mourners dig graves during the funeral for children killed in a reported strike on a primary school in Iran's Hormozgan province in Minab on March 3, 2026. Iranian media have reported hundreds of Iranian casualties, including at a girl's school, although AFP reporters have not been able to verify tolls independently. The war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran spread across the Middle East, threatening to plunge the global economy into chaos, with Lebanon and Gulf energy exporters dragged into the conflict. (Photo by Iranian Press Center / AFP via Getty Images) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / IRANIAN PRESS CENTER" - HANDOUT - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
The hacking group said it was revenge for the deadly strike on a girl’s primary school (Picture: AFP)

Experts cited satellite image analysis and said the school was likely struck amid a quick succession of bombs dropped on the compound.

Iran has continued to issue deadly threats to US servicemen and women in the Middle East as the conflict continues.

Last month, the hacking group published personal emails and pictures of the head of the FBI after hacking into his accounts.

The group wrote: ‘Kash Patel, the current head of the FBI, who once saw his name displayed with pride on the agency’s headquarters, will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims.

‘The so-called ‘impenetrable’ systems of the FBI were brought to their knees within hours by our team.’

Many of the hacked records shared were from more than a decade ago.

Leaked photos included one of Mr Patel smoking a cigar in his mouth and another of the FBI boss standing next to a vintage sports car.

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