WASHINGTON — A hacker group with alleged ties to Iran has claimed it is in possession of roughly 100 gigabytes of emails stolen from individuals close to former President Donald Trump. The group, using the alias “Robert,” warned that more leaks could follow, potentially stirring controversy after an already volatile election season.

In conversations with Reuters on Sunday and Monday, the hackers said they had accessed emails from several high-profile figures in Trump’s circle, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump attorney Lindsey Halligan, longtime adviser Roger Stone, and adult film actress-turned-critic Stormy Daniels. While the group hinted at the possibility of selling the stolen data, they gave no specific details about what might be released or to whom.

The hackers did not disclose the full contents of the emails but have previously released selected material to journalists. Earlier leaks included internal Trump campaign communications, legal discussions with Daniels, and an email suggesting a financial arrangement between Trump and attorneys representing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who later joined Trump’s cabinet as health secretary.

The U.S. Justice Department has denounced the intrusion. Attorney General Pam Bondi called the incident “an unconscionable cyber-attack.” The FBI echoed the sentiment, with Director Kash Patel stating: “Any individual involved in compromising national security will be fully investigated and prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law.”

No comments have been issued so far by the named individuals—Halligan, Stone, or Daniels—nor by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Iran’s mission to the United Nations also declined to respond, though Tehran has consistently denied engaging in state-sponsored cyberespionage.

The hacker entity “Robert” first appeared publicly in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election, claiming access to the email accounts of prominent Trump allies. The release of emails last year drew some attention, but ultimately did not sway the election outcome, which Trump won.

In September 2024, the U.S. Justice Department indicted Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in connection with the Robert operation. The hackers have refused to comment on the allegation.

Following Trump’s return to office, the hackers initially declared they were ceasing their activities. “I am retired, man,” Robert said in a May message to Reuters. But the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran—culminating in U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure—appears to have reignited their campaign.

This week, the hackers announced they were preparing to sell the trove of stolen emails and urged Reuters to publicize the matter.

Cybersecurity experts see the renewed activity as a potential move by Iranian intelligence services to retaliate without escalating military tensions. “Iran may now be trying to hit back using asymmetric tools,” said Frederick Kagan, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. “Leaking emails doesn’t risk major retaliation, but it still sends a message.”

Despite the relative calm in cyberspace during the latest Middle East flare-up, U.S. cyber defense officials warned on Monday that Iranian-linked actors still pose a credible threat to U.S. businesses and critical infrastructure.