WASHINGTON – The recent findings of the State Department’s internal watchdog have raised concerns about the handling of the security clearance suspension of the U.S. special envoy for Iran, Rob Malley. The report, obtained by The Associated Press, highlighted that officials did not adhere to proper protocol, leading to deviations from the standard process.

The report reveals that Malley was allowed to access classified meetings and information following his suspension, which was not in line with the usual restrictions. The lack of clear policies and supervision for political appointees contributed to the confusion surrounding Malley’s case.

Malley, a key figure in the Biden administration’s efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal and address American detainees in Iran, was placed on unpaid leave last year amid allegations of mishandling classified information. The report also noted that Malley’s participation in a classified call on Iran after his security clearance was suspended was due to delays in notifying him of the action.

The investigation found that Malley continued to engage in issues outside his authorized scope of work, highlighting a failure to communicate his clearance status effectively within the department. Despite the suspension of his clearance and email access, senior officials successfully reinstated his access to the unclassified email system.

While the report does not address the underlying allegations that led to the clearance revocation, it does provide recommendations to prevent similar issues in the future. The State Department has agreed to synchronize personnel guidelines for political appointees with those for other employees as a step toward avoiding such mismanagement.

As the report circulates internally and reaches Congress, Republican lawmakers have been vocal in demanding accountability from the State Department. The findings have raised concerns about the handling of Malley’s case and have sparked calls for transparency and oversight.

Despite the controversy surrounding his security clearance, Malley remains on administrative leave from the State Department. He currently teaches diplomacy courses at prestigious universities and continues to be a prominent figure in foreign policy discussions.