House Foreign Affairs Committee Calls for Government Representatives to Testify on Robert Malley's Situation

In response to the situation surrounding Robert Malley, the U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, Michael McCaul, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, requested further explanations from Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a letter on Friday. The letter calls for the State Department and the White House to assign Abraham Paley, the current Special Envoy for Iran, and Brett McGurk, the National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, to testify in a public session and provide a confidential report to the committee by the end of July. In the letter, McCaul wrote to Blinken: "Media reports indicate that Robert Malley, the Special Envoy for Iran, was placed on unpaid leave after his security clearance was suspended earlier this year amid investigations into his potential misuse of classified documents. These reports raise serious concerns about Malley's conduct and whether he misled the State Department, Congress, and the American public." He also referenced reports of indirect negotiations between the Biden administration and the Islamic Republic regarding the revival of the JCPOA and emphasized the importance of congressional oversight of negotiations and policies regarding Iran, as well as transparency and accountability from the State Department and the U.S. government. On Friday, Republican Senator Bill Hagerty also tweeted to President Joe Biden and Secretary Blinken, stating, "Biden owes answers to the American people." He wrote, "When Robert Malley, the U.S. envoy for Iran—who led Biden's efforts to appease Tehran and return to the nuclear deal—loses his security clearances and is on forced leave, we must answer serious questions." John Kirby, a senior White House media official, commented on Malley's departure from the State Department to Voice of America, stating that there has been no change in the U.S. government's approach toward the Islamic Republic of Iran. The National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator responded to a question from VOA's Persian section regarding any potential change in the Biden administration's approach toward Iran following Malley's departure, stating that no transformation has occurred. He initially noted that explanations regarding personnel changes, specifically regarding Robert Malley, should be provided by the State Department. However, he emphasized that "there has been no change in the consistent approach we have toward Iran, whether it concerns countering their nuclear ambitions, their support for terrorist networks, their threats to shipping in international waters, or their support for Russia in its aggression against Ukraine." This media official from the National Security Council continued: "We will continue to counter Iran's destabilizing behaviors in coordination with our allies and partners. We will keep applying pressure on Iran. We want to see Iran make better decisions, and we will continue to engage appropriately to bring home Americans who have been wrongfully detained, and this approach will not change." John Kirby added: "The President's [Joe Biden's] approach toward Iran has been consistent, and I expect we will see that continue." Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the State Department, also responded on Thursday to reports regarding Robert Malley, stating that he is on leave and Abraham Paley is currently fulfilling his duties in his place. The White House told Voice of America: Malley's departure does not change our policies. Ambiguities surround the fate of Robert Malley, the Iran envoy in the Biden administration; report by Gita Arian from the State Department. Exclusive | The White House: Malley's departure does not change Biden's approach toward Iran. Reports from American media about Malley's "forced leave": investigation into potential "misuse" of classified information. The State Department's reaction to reports about Robert Malley; he is on leave. Niloufar Hamedi's husband reported; she is not allowed to meet with a lawyer. U.S. support for imprisoned journalists: Iran must "immediately" release Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi. House Republicans summon government officials; "potential secret negotiations with Iran" are in focus. Antony Blinken called the news of a nuclear agreement between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic "incorrect." McCaul: Any agreement that merely limits the Islamic Republic's nuclear program is a serious threat to U.S. national security. Discussions between Baqeri and officials from three European countries about "mutual concerns." Exclusive; the State Department: Reports of a temporary agreement with Iran are "incorrect and misleading." The Islamic Republic also denied the possibility of a "temporary agreement" between Iran and the U.S. Exclusive; U.S. reaction to the reopening of the Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia: we have long been a proponent of diplomacy.