US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman demands information on Iran envoy’s security clearance

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee demanded that the State Department provide more information Friday about allegations against Iran envoy Rob Malley who was placed on leave while his security clearance is being investigated.

“These reports raise serious concerns both regarding Malley’s conduct and whether the State Department misled Congress and the American public,” Michael McCaul from the state of Texas wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

“While the suspension of Special Envoy Malley’s clearance is independently troubling, our concern is compounded by the State Department’s failure to respond to the Committee’s efforts to conduct oversight of its negotiations with and policy toward Iran," said the Republican lawmaker.

McCaul added the agency’s "failure" to inform Congress "demonstrates at best a lack of candor, and at worst represents deliberate and potentially unlawful misinformation."

He asked the agency to provide a detailed accounting of "any and all allegations, investigations, and/or findings of misconduct, including security violations" against Malley.

McCaul also demanded a detailed description of the "circumstances surrounding" Malley's leave, including the "basis for its communications with Congress" as well as "all documents and communications referring or relating to the review and/or suspension" of Malley's clearance.

"I additionally request that the Department and the Biden Administration make Acting Special Envoy for Iran Abram Paley and National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk available to testify in a public hearing and provide a classified briefing to the Committee by the end of July 2023," he said.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Thursday that Malley officially remains in his post but is on leave and his deputy, Abram Paley, is currently leading the Iran portfolio as acting special envoy.