Republicans Demand Answers On Iran Policy, Envoy's Suspension

Iran International Newsroom
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) arrives to speak to reporters with GOP leadership following the Senate Republicans weekly policy lunch at the US Capitol in Washington, September 7, 2022.
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) arrives to speak to reporters with GOP leadership following the Senate Republicans weekly policy lunch at the US Capitol in Washington, September 7, 2022.

Several US senators have expressed concern over the threats posed by Iran, with Republican Rick Scott stating that governments worldwide are worried about the regime.

Senator Scott of Florida told Iran International’s Arash Alaei, "I was just in the Middle East, and all I heard about was the menace of Iran."

"While in Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE, all of them were concerned about Iran's actions. I was there when Israel had to eliminate terrorists in Jenin... and when Iranian ships attempted to halt two tankers, but the US Navy intervened. Iran is a threat to the world," he added.

He also criticized the performance of US envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, stating that the last thing the US wants is another nuclear deal with the regime.

Reacting to the controversy surrounding Malley's secret leave of absence and the FBI's investigation into his mishandling of classified information, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) stated that it reflects the entire administration's policy toward Iran, which he believes makes no sense and is nothing short of disastrous.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) (left) and Iran International’s correspondent Arash Alaei on July 11, 2023
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) (left) and Iran International’s correspondent Arash Alaei on July 11, 2023

Malley’s suspension was first reported by Iran International June 29, and formally announced the following day by Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US State Department, calling it "a leave of absence”, adding that his duties would be temporarily assumed by his deputy, Abram Paley. However, it is believed he had been suspended as early as April.

Senator Hawley described the administration's policy on Iran as a "disaster" from day one and said, "The more we know, the worse it gets."

He expressed outrage at the administration's lack of transparency regarding Malley and his efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear accord. Referring to an article by Tehran Times, a publication controlled by the Iranian regime that provided astonishing details about Malley's situation, Senator Hawley criticized the government for not being forthcoming. He said, "You have a totalitarian regime publishing all this information and knowing it, yet your own government won't be honest with us about it." He further stated, "It's ridiculous."

"I feel like I've been lied to... They (the administration) lie to us all the time on various issues, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, China... It's a pattern in this administration."

Republican and sone Democrats have been opposed to President Joe Biden's policy of negotiating with the Islamic Republic to revive the 2015 JCPOA agreement that former President Donald Trump abandoned in 2018. The talks came to a deadlock in September 2022, after 18 months of multilateral diplomacy.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) also criticized Malley for his handling of Iran-related issues, stating, "I don't know the specific details, but I have always believed he was a terrible negotiator... I have never been a fan of his negotiations or their outcomes."

CBS News also confirmed Monday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating Robert Malley, although the matter is not considered criminal.

According to the Tehran Times, Malley was informed by the Diplomatic Security Department on April 21 that his security clearance had been suspended due to his failure to maintain classified documents accurately.