By Arshad Mohammad
(Reuters) – A top Republican U.S. lawmaker on Tuesday called “absolutely unacceptable” the State Department’s response to its investigation into why the U.S. special envoy for Iran’s security clearance was in exam course.
Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on June 30 asking for “full and transparent accountability” about an investigation into envoy Rob Malley. .
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US official said Malley was placed on unpaid leave on June 29 after news broke that his security clearance was being reviewed.
In a response made public by McCaul’s office, Naz Durakoglu, assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs, said the agency has a “thorough and comprehensive process” to assess an individual’s eligibility for access. to classified information.
“Consistent with long-standing Executive Branch and State Department policies and practices, the Department is unable to provide any further documentation or information related to this personnel security clearance matter,” a- she declared.
McCaul, in a brief statement, said, “This is an absolutely unacceptable response.”
“Congress deserves to know exactly why the US special envoy (for) Iran had his security clearance suspended, was later suspended from his post, and now, according to reports, is under investigation. from the FBI,” McCaul added, saying he would. ask the agency for a classified briefing next week.
When news that his security clearance was being reviewed broke on June 29, Malley said: “I was advised that my security clearance was being reviewed. I received no further information, but I expect the investigation to be resolved favorably and soon.. In the meantime, I am on leave.
During a regular briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said Malley “ceased his duties” as special envoy for Iran on June 29 and “left in leave “several weeks ago”, but he declined to provide further details.
Appointed shortly after Democratic President Joe Biden took office in 2021, Malley was tasked with trying to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Then-President Donald Trump, a Republican, had given up the pact in 2018 and reimposed US sanctions on Iran.
Having failed to revive the deal, the United States held talks with Iran to try to ease tensions by outlining measures that could limit Iran’s nuclear program, release some detained American citizens and unfreeze some Iranian assets abroad, Iranian and Western officials said in June.
(Reporting by Arshad Mohammed and Simon Lewis; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Leslie Adler)