Associated Press: Robert Maly had access to classified classified information

According to Isna, the watchdog of the US State Department informed media sources on Wednesday evening that the authorities followed the appropriate protocol when dealing with the suspension of the security clearance of “Robert Mali”, the US special envoy for Iran affairs, following accusations of misuse of classified information last year. They did not comply.

The American news agency “Associated Press” reported, citing the watchdog report of the US State Department: “In several cases, officials departed from the standard and principled process and allowed the envoy, Rob Mali, to have access to meetings and classified information that otherwise would not have been possible. The face was limited.”

“The lack of standard policies for political appointees and lack of financial oversight led to considerable confusion about what Mali was allowed to do after suspension,” the report said.

Mali, who was the leader of the American delegation in the Biden administration to revive the JCPOA and resolve issues related to Americans detained in Iran, was forced to take unpaid leave in June 2023 following allegations of misuse of classified information. And his license was revoked.

Mali’s whereabouts first raised questions when he skipped a classified congressional briefing on Iran in May 2023, according to the Associated Press. At the time, State Department officials told lawmakers that Mali was on “extended personal leave” and suggested that his absence may be related to a family issue.

However, in a recent report by the US State Department watchdog, it is stated that after the suspension of his security clearance, Mali participated in a secret meeting organized by the White House regarding Iran, but because Mali did not know about his suspension, the security officials criticized him and They have not complained.

The Associated Press also reported that due to the delay in determining the financial status, it may have led to his access to classified information. Mali should not have access to the said information if his condition is determined as soon as possible.

“The State Department failed to consistently notify employees who had regular contact with Mali that he no longer had access to classified information,” the report said. These conditions most likely made Mali, the US special envoy for Iran affairs, to be informed about issues outside the limited scope of the issues he was allowed to work on.

Also, according to the Associated Press report, despite the financial suspension, the senior officials of the US State Department were able to restore his access to “confidential emails” in a successful action.

In the past year, the Republicans of the US Congress have asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide more information about the reason for the suspension and the charges against Mali, however, the US State Department’s watchdog report did not address the basic charges that led to the cancellation of his license.

The watchdog report of the US State Department was published in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of this country on Tuesday and sent to the Congress on Wednesday.

Considering the financial role of the American National Security Council in the negotiations leading to the 2015 nuclear deal, which was concluded during the administration of “Barack Obama”, the Republicans have long participated in the issues related to this country with the participation of the former special envoy of the United States on Iran affairs. have been against

Mali, who is on administrative leave from the State Department, currently teaches diplomacy courses at Princeton and Yale universities.

In May of this year, sources told Politico magazine that the FBI is investigating the authenticity of the claim that the former representative of the Biden administration in Iran affairs transferred confidential documents to a personal electronic account and mobile phone.

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