U.S. State Department Spokesperson: Providing Certain Information About Robert Malley Is Not Advisable

Following a letter from the U.S. State Department to the House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding the status of Robert Malley and the committee chair's dissatisfaction with the content of the letter, the State Department spokesperson told VOA that "providing certain information is not advisable." Matt Miller, in response to a VOA question about whether the State Department's letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee means that investigations are still ongoing and have not concluded, said: "We clarified several points in that letter. One is that in some cases, information can be provided, and we are looking to engage and discuss with them." According to Matt Miller, "there are specific areas where, based on the established procedures of the executive branch, which are supported by the judiciary and the Supreme Court, providing certain information to Congress is not advisable." The State Department spokesperson also emphasized in response to a VOA question about the committee chair's request for the presence of Abram Paley and Brett McGurk in the committee to address doubts and provide confidential information that the government will engage with Congress. Matt Miller added: "As you know, we have informed members of Congress several times. We have had a briefing for all Senate members and will continue to do so, but as we stated in the letter, we are willing and want to engage with representatives on their questions." On Tuesday, the U.S. State Department responded to the "deadline" set by the House Foreign Affairs Committee with a letter regarding the suspension of Robert Malley, the U.S. special envoy for Iran. In this letter, a copy of which was obtained by VOA, the State Department referred to "adherence to the department's policies" and refrained from providing any further documents or information related to Mr. Malley's personnel and security clearance issues, stating that the department only acknowledged Mr. Robert Malley's leave and assured McCaul, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, that "they are reviewing the matter." The chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said on Tuesday to VOA that "this is a completely unacceptable response." Mr. McCaul added: "Congress needs to know exactly why the security clearance of the U.S. special envoy for Iran was suspended, then he was suspended from his position, and now, according to news reports, the matter is under investigation by the FBI." On Wednesday, the Washington Free Beacon reported that a senior congressional official stated that another letter from Congress, with specific questions, will be sent to the State Department that must be answered immediately.