Ted Cruz's Reaction to Reports on Robert Malley; His Approach Was 'Appeasement to Enemies'

Senator Ted Cruz on Sunday sharply criticized recent news regarding Robert Malley's removal from President Biden's foreign policy towards the Islamic Republic. The Republican senator wrote on Twitter: 'You want to tell me that someone who was sidelined by the Obama team in 2008 for meeting with Hamas, and then spent two years under Joe Biden helping the Ayatollah achieve nuclear weapons, has security issues?' Cruz continued to criticize Malley, stating that he embodies everything negative about Biden's foreign policy. According to Cruz, Malley's approach includes 'appeasement to enemies,' 'stabbing allies in the back,' 'concealment,' and 'lying to Congress.' John Kirby, the National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator, responded on Friday to a question from VOA Persian about a potential change in Biden's approach towards Iran following Malley's departure as the U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, stating that no transformation has occurred. He initially noted that explanations for personnel changes, particularly regarding Malley, should come from the State Department. However, he emphasized that 'there has been no change in the consistent approach we have towards 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 National Security Council official added: 'We will continue to counter Iran's destabilizing behaviors in coordination with our allies and partners. We will continue to apply pressure on Iran. We want to see Iran make better decisions, and we will continue appropriate engagement to free Americans who have been wrongfully detained, and this approach will not change.' Kirby added: 'The President's approach towards Iran has been consistent, and I expect we will see that continue.' Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, also responded to reports about Malley on Thursday, stating that he is on leave and Abraham Paley is currently fulfilling his duties. The White House told VOA: 'Malley's departure does not change our policies.' There are ambiguities regarding the fate of Robert Malley, the Iran envoy in the Biden administration; a report by Gita Arian from the State Department. Exclusive | The White House: Malley's departure does not change Biden's approach towards Iran. The House Foreign Affairs Committee has called for government representatives to appear in Congress and explain Malley's situation. Reports from American media about Malley's 'forced leave': Investigation into possible 'misuse' of classified information. The State Department's reaction to the news about Robert Malley; he is on leave. Antony Blinken called the news of a nuclear agreement between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic 'incorrect.'