Allegations Against Biden's Iran Envoy

Republican Lawmakers Allege Biden's Iran Envoy Mishandled Classified Info.

In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, top Republican lawmakers revealed "troubling allegations" against Robert Malley, President Biden's special envoy to Iran. Malley was placed on unpaid leave last June with his security clearance suspended amid a State Department probe into alleged mishandling of classified documents.

The letter from Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member James Risch and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul claims Malley transferred classified material to his personal email and cellphone, which were later accessed by a "hostile cyber actor."

"We understand that Malley's security clearance was suspended because he allegedly transferred classified documents to his personal email account and downloaded these documents to his personal cell phone," the lawmakers wrote. "It is believed that a hostile cyber actor was able to gain access to his email or phone and obtain the downloaded information."

The Republicans expressed frustration over the State Department's "lack of transparency" and requested Blinken confirm details such as the classification levels involved, whether Malley shared info with those lacking clearances, and if the cyber actor was linked to Iranian groups like the Revolutionary Guard.

Appointed in 2021 to revive the Iran nuclear deal, Malley stepped back last year ahead of a prisoner swap where Iran freed five Americans. He said at the time he expected the security clearance investigation to be "resolved favorably and soon."

The State Department confirmed Malley remains on leave but did not comment on the specific allegations, which the lawmakers called "extremely troubling" with "substantial impact on our national security."