Congress is digging into the lead negotiator behind President Obama’s signature Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), aimed at “realigning” the U.S. with Iran, Rob Malley. The JCPOA, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, aimed to curb Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. Malley’s return as Iran special envoy under President Biden was a move to resurrect this deal, which had been abandoned by the Trump administration.
However, last summer, Malley’s security clearance was revoked, and he was placed on unpaid leave amid an investigation by the State Department and FBI for potentially mishandling classified information. Real Clear Wire explains this development was already a hot-button partisan issue before October 7, when Iran-backed terrorists attacked Israel, further intensifying scrutiny.
For over a year, the Biden administration has responded with secrecy and silence regarding Malley’s sidelining. This reticence persisted even as a Tehran-tied outlet published leaked documents suggesting a breach of U.S. communications, and separate evidence emerged of Malley’s intertwinement with an Iranian influence network. Congressional critics, particularly Republican lawmakers, are now stepping up efforts to get answers. They have indicated their determination to uncover the full extent of what transpired, even if it requires issuing subpoenas.
A May 6 letter from Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Republican James Risch and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul to Secretary of State Antony Blinken reveals their belief that Malley may have transferred classified documents to his personal email and downloaded them on his personal cell phone. They question whether this information was hacked or otherwise obtained by unfriendly sources, according to Real Clear Wire.
“Did Mr. Malley send or attempt to send these documents to anyone who lacked the proper clearance?” they ask in the letter. “Were any of these individuals affiliated with the Iranian government or the Iran Experts Initiative?”
Malley is also viewed by some as hostile to Israel and cozy with Iran and its proxies like Hamas. His controversial ties date back to his meetings with Hamas leaders, which cost him an advisory role in the Obama presidential campaign in 2008. Only during Obama’s second term did Malley reenter the fold, ultimately helping to pursue the JCPOA. As Biden’s special envoy, his efforts to revive the nuclear deal were halted when his device was allegedly compromised.
Congressional Republicans are seeking clarity on several points, including whether Malley shared documents with those linked to the Iranian regime. They are concerned about the potential compromise of Malley’s device, which may have exposed other senior officials to risk. The lawmakers also want to know whether the State Department or other federal entities have conducted a damage assessment.