Several outlets report that an Iran-linked hacking group, identified as “Handala,” claims it has breached first-person view (FPV) and surveillance drones operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). According to the group’s allegations as relayed by multiple sources, it gained access to drone footage and says it has monitored “every image and every suspect” captured by those drones for months, including ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The group also issues threats aimed at World Cup security, including warnings that team transport or team buses could be targeted.
France 24 and CBS News, citing the SITE Intelligence Group (which monitors online militant and extremist activity), say SITE attributes the claims to Handala and that it forwarded details about the threat. CBS News also reports that the monitoring group disputes some aspects of Handala’s broader claims, reflecting uncertainty over how much of the alleged access is verifiable. Other outlets echo similar details of the cyber claims and the threat language but do not provide independent confirmation. No official confirmation of the drone breach or the threat is presented in the provided reports.
