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An inspector general’s report seen by Iran International has revealed that the US State Department was too slow to suspend the security clearance of former Iran envoy, Rob Malley.
The report, initiated by the State Department's Inspector General months ago, highlights procedural lapses that likely allowed Malley to engage in activities beyond his authorized scope of work even after the suspension of his role.
Key issues highlighted in the report are the delay in notifying Malley of his clearance suspension and the department’s failure to inform other staff that Malley was no longer permitted to access classified materials.
The mismanagement allowed Malley to continue participating in sensitive work, including “the opportunity to participate in a classified conference call” after the suspension was approved.
The department's justification for restoring Malley’s access to sensitive but unclassified systems—citing concerns over his potential use of personal email—only compounded the procedural failures. Such email use is prohibited for conducting official business, further exacerbating the risks surrounding his access to sensitive information.
Malley’s security clearance was suspended over a year ago due to alleged mishandling of classified information, sparking confusion over his duties and restrictions during the suspension period.
The FBI is conducting a criminal investigation into Malley's handling of classified material.
Some reports suggest that a "hostile cyber actor" may have compromised Malley’s email, raising concerns that foreign actors, possibly linked to Iran, may have accessed the information. Malley has denied any wrongdoing.
Appointed by President Biden in early 2021, Malley was tasked with leading the administration’s efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran which had been abandoned by Donald Trump in 2018. However, after nearly two years in the role, Malley was placed on leave and and his security clearance suspended, first reported by Iran International in June last year.
Republican lawmakers quickly sought clarity on Malley’s suspension circumstances but faced repeated refusals from the State Department. This led Senator Jim Risch, the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to suggest during a hearing that a subpoena might be necessary to compel the department to release the requested information.
In May, Semafor reported that Malley may have shared classified information with unauthorized individuals as part of his diplomatic efforts. According to sources, documents on Malley’s personal devices ranged from sensitive but unclassified to classified, and may have included detailed notes of his meetings with Iranian officials as well as information on the US government's response to the protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini.
Concerns about Iranian influence further escalated when Iran International and Semafor revealed an alleged Iranian influence operation in Washington. They reported that individuals connected to Malley promoted Iran’s nuclear program in op-eds and media appearances, raising further questions about Malley’s role and the broader implications of his actions.
The revelations have amplified the scrutiny surrounding his case, with the House Oversight Committee announcing plans to subpoena Malley as part of its investigation into US policies toward Iran.
The political ramifications of Malley's case have also caused anger in Washington. Republican lawmakers, concerned about the national security implications, have pushed for more transparency from the administration. The introduction of the ROBERT MALLEY Act by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney reflects efforts to hold government agencies accountable for providing Congress with timely information about employee suspensions or furloughs.
