Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) criticized the Biden administration for how it handled an inquiry of one of the top Iranian envoys working for the United States.
Top US diplomat Rob Malley, who was instrumental in negotiating the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement, was placed on unpaid leave last month.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, diplomatic security officers have revoked his security clearance while they decide whether to allow him to handle classified material.
Republicans contend that despite their repeated requests for information about the probe, the Biden administration has not complied. The information that the FBI has begun its own probe has increased mistrust.
Republican annoyances have been led by Rubio, the ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Given its dedication to openness and effective governance, you’d expect the administration would take the initiative to swiftly tell Congress of the alarming situation in which the person in charge lacks the clearances required to perform their duties.
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Marco Rubio Criticizes Iran Envoy Handling
He said with a tinge of frustration, “But to our dismay, such proactive communication never materialized.
This lack of transparency is far from ideal and causes real doubts about the administration’s observance of correct procedures and its capacity to handle delicate situations.
Rubio’s frustrations were mirrored by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
The State Department refused to provide much information after being demanded to do so, citing privacy laws. The remark, according to McCaul, was wholly inappropriate.
McCaul asserted that Congress has a right to know the precise reasons why the US special envoy to Iran had his security clearance suspended, was then fired, and is currently the subject of an FBI investigation.
Nothing could be more serious than someone whose job it is to negotiate with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Source: www.msn.com