American news outlet Semafor reports that an internal investigation into Rob Malley has been turned over to a federal agency after he was placed on leave amid a security clearance review.
The FBI is investigating U.S. special envoy for Iran Rob Malley over his handling of classified material, a report said Friday, after the Biden administration suspended Malley and placed him on leave.
The Homeland Security investigation into Mellie was turned over to the FBI, reported the American information publication Semafor citing a State Department source.
Two State Department officials previously said the investigation is being led by the agency’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security.
Further details of the case remain unclear, but the involvement of the FBI led to the suspicion of a possible crime, Semaphore reported.
Mellie last week stated that he is on leave from the Biden administration because of his clearance review.
In a text sent to multiple reporters, Malley said: “I have been advised that my security clearance is under review. I have not been given any further information, but I expect the investigation to be concluded favorably and soon. In the meantime, I’m on vacation.”
Malley has been leading the administration’s efforts to restore the failed Iran nuclear deal and deal with the issues surrounding detained Americans in Iran, but has been inactive for weeks.
His departure comes amid a recent resurgence in indirect talks between the US and Iran, which has gradually ramped up uranium enrichment amid the collapse of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
State Department spokesman Matt Miller confirmed last week only that Malley was on leave and his deputy, Abram Paley, was acting as the special envoy for Iran.
CNN reported last week that Malley’s clearance was suspended earlier this year amid an investigation into possible mishandling of classified material.
Malley’s whereabouts have been in question since he missed a classified congressional briefing on Iran on May 16.
At the time, State Department officials told lawmakers that Malley was on “extended personal leave” and suggested that his absence may be related to family health issues.
It remains unclear exactly when Mulla’s permit was suspended. According to CNN, he remained on the job for a while, but was denied access to classified information.
One of the architects of the JCPOA — a multilateral deal signed in 2015 by then-US President Barack Obama that his successor, Donald Trump, canceled in 2018 — Malley was considered one of the strongest voices in the administration pushing for diplomacy on the Iranian nuclear issue. .
That stance has led Israeli officials to accuse him and the administration of seeking to restore the nuclear deal at any cost.
As a special envoy, he was willing to engage with controversial figures, reportedly including Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeed Iravani.
During the administration of former President Bill Clinton, Malley served as Special Advisor to the President and a member of the 2000 Camp David Peace Team.
A close personal friend of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Malley served on the International Crisis Group during the Trump administration. In that capacity, he met several times with Iranian and Palestinian officials, with whom U.S. officials are prohibited from contacting.
Melley’s appointment as special envoy for Iran in January 2021 has led to speculation in Israel that the Biden administration is seeking to revive the JCPOA.
Despite reports of increased contacts through Oman in recent weeks, US officials say a deal with Iran is not currently on the cards, amid Tehran’s expanded arms shipments to Russia for use against Ukraine.
