House Republicans probe Biden administration's connections to Iran regime sympathizers

House Republicans on Wednesday demanded answers about the Biden administration's connections to Iranian regime sympathizers after reports surfaced that at least three senior Iranian Foreign Ministry officials were aides to former Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley. 

"The Administration’s lack of transparency is even more troubling in light of press reports about Iran’s direct role in this weekend’s horrific attack on Israel by Hamas and additional revelations that former Special Envoy for Iran (SEI), Robert Malley, and members of his negotiating team may have had compromising ties to the Iranian regime," House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Glenn Grothman wrote in a letter Wednesday to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Years of emails show the questionable connections between Malley, his associates and Iran, as reported by Semafor and Iran International.

The officials were part of a group called the Iran Experts Initiative working under then-President Hassan Rouhani, according to the outlets. The organization was part of an effort to improve Tehran's image and bolster its global security positions, particularly on its nuclear aspirations.  

Malley, who was the lead negotiator of the Obama-era Iran nuclear deal, had his security clearance suspended and was then placed on unpaid leave in June. The reason for his suspension is unclear, but he was accused of mishandling classified documents.

The Republicans demanded for Blinken to hand over information relating to Malley's relationships with people from Iran, among other things.

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