Biden’s ex-envoy to Iran faces an inquiry from State Department’s inspector general: report
President Biden’s ex-special Iran envoy Robert Malley is reportedly facing a probe from the State Department’s Inspector General.
Last month, the inspector general’s office apprised Congress about the inquiry, which came against the backdrop of questions from lawmakers regarding Malley’s ties to Tehran, Semafor reported.
“The scope of the special review of the suspension of Robert Malley’s clearance will include the procedures the Department used in suspending the clearance as well as actions taken by the Department following the suspension,” the office wrote in a letter to lawmakers, per Semafor.
“This will include whether the Department followed proper procedures in suspending his clearance, determining what access to information he could maintain, and deciding the status of his employment.”
Back in April of last year, the Diplomatic Security Service yanked his security clearance for reasons that are not entirely clear. In June, the State Department put him on unpaid leave.
Malley had long been a key figure in US foreign affairs, steering policy toward Tehran. Back in 2015, he served as the top negotiator of the controversial 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal.
That agreement provided Tehran with sanctions relief in exchange for temporary restrictions on its nuclear program. Former President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the deal in 2018.
Biden is rumored to have sought to revive portions of that deal. However, since war erupted in Israel, tensions with Iran have deteriorated.
Last fall, Semafor reported that Iran’s Foreign Ministry engaged in a campaign seeking to influence US policy toward Tehran, dubbed the Iran Experts Initiative.
At least two subjects of that endeavor were hired as top aides to Malley and a third was tapped for a think tank he once ran, according to the report.
The FBI also reportedly opened an investigation related to Malley last year. Lawmakers have pressed the Biden administration for answers on the mystery surrounding Malley’s suspension.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) publicly speculated that Malley “compromised classified information” pertaining to Iran.
State Department officials have repeatedly ducked questions in public settings about why Malley was placed on leave.
The inspector general’s team is expected to make the results of its probe public, Semafor reported.
The Post reached out to the inspector general’s team for comment.
Last year, Malley landed a gig at Princeton University. Back in June, he released a statement saying he expected the ordeal to get cleared up soon.
“I have not been provided any further information, but I expect the investigation to be resolved favorably and soon. In the meantime, I am on leave,” he told Axios at the time.
