Republican lawmakers Senator Jim Risch and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul have raised concerns about the suspension of Rob Malley’s security clearance.
Malley, who is on unpaid leave from his role as U.S. special envoy for Iran, allegedly transferred classified documents to his personal email and mobile phone, according to a letter they sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The lawmakers criticized the Department for not providing more details about Malley’s case and posed 19 questions about it.
The letter, reported by the Washington Post and reviewed by Reuters, suggests that a hostile cyber actor may have accessed Malley’s email or phone to obtain the downloaded information.
No evidence was provided to support these claims. A State Department spokesperson stated that Malley remains on leave, and the Department does not comment on individual security clearances as per longstanding policy.
Malley was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021 with the task of reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
However, efforts to reach an agreement have faltered, leading to increased tensions between the United States and Iran.
Issues such as Iran’s nuclear program, its support for proxy forces in the Middle East, and its recent attack on Israeli territory have strained relations between the two countries.
Despite the allegations, Malley has not commented on the letter or the suspension of his security clearance.
The situation underscores the complexities of diplomatic negotiations and the scrutiny faced by officials involved in sensitive matters like the Iran nuclear deal.
