The Mystery of Mohammad Tajik

"In December 2011, the CIA lost control of a stealth drone near the Iranian city of Kashmar, about 140 miles from the Afghanistan border, and it wound up in the regime's possession. On state television, the Iranian military displayed the boomerang-shaped craft like a trophy. Triumphant banners beneath its 30-foot wings said, in Farsi, THE US CAN'T MESS WITH US and WE'LL CRUSH AMERICA UNDERFOOT."

"Just over four years later, in April 2016, a known Iranian hacker group named Parastoo-the Farsi word for "swallow," the small bird-posted its email address to a cybersecurity message board, inviting journalists to ask it about what had happened to the drone. In my experience covering national security, people who claim to have "the real story" are usually quacks or kooks. Still, I figured it was worth an email."

""I understand you want to discuss the CIA's RQ-170 drone," I wrote to [email protected] on April 12, 2016. "Want to talk?" Thirty-six hours later, someone calling himself "P" responded, in clumsy but mostly legible English. "Yes, i want my identity protected and in series of either live interviews or chat-based conversations i would like to reveal all behind that story.""

In December 2011 a CIA RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drone ended up in Iranian hands after crashing near Kashmar, about 140 miles from Afghanistan. Iranian state television showcased the 30-foot, boomerang-shaped craft with triumphant banners. The cause of the loss remained unclear, with debate over mechanical failure, navigational error, or hostile cyber-takeover. In April 2016 the Iranian hacker group Parastoo posted contact information on a cybersecurity board and invited inquiries about the drone. Parastoo had previously claimed hacks of international and U.S. institutions and boasted capability to commandeer U.S. military drones. A representative identifying as "P" offered to reveal details while requesting identity protection and encrypted communications.

Read at The Atlantic