The FBI is now looking into US President Joe Biden's Iran envoy, Rob Malley, three sources familiar with the matter told CBS News on Monday.
One source familiar with the matter told CBS News that the FBI was looking at Malley's handling of classified material. It is unclear if the bureau's examination encompasses other issues. There was no indication from this source that the FBI considers it a criminal matter at this point.
Two weeks ago, US officials confirmed that Malley had been placed on leave without pay, after his security clearance was suspended earlier this year amid an investigation into his handling of classified material.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also confirmed that Malley is on leave, adding that Abram Paley is filling in on an acting basis.
As presidential envoy for Iran, a position to which he was appointed in January of 2021, Malley was based at the State Department, and his portfolio included both the attempts to resurrect a nuclear agreement with Iran, as well as negotiations over at least three American citizens who remain wrongfully detained by Tehran.
Malley coordinated closely with both Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the White House National Security Council, whose Middle East division is led by Brett McGurk, noted CBS News.
"We take our oversight obligations extremely seriously," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Monday. "We obviously got the letter from the chairman; we've been reviewing it and we will be engaging with his office on the matter."
The Department of Justice and FBI declined to comment on Monday’s report.
Rep. Michael McCaul, GOP chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, recently requested that the State Department provide a detailed description of the allegations against Malley that led to his security clearance being revoked.
McCaul said the Department’s failure to inform Congress of this matter “demonstrates at best a lack of candor, and at worst represents deliberate and potentially unlawful misinformation.”