Biden Administration Appoints Robert Malley as Special Envoy to Iran

The U.S. State Department has appointed Robert Malley, a member of Barack Obama’s team in nuclear negotiations with Iran, as Special Envoy to Iran. In this capacity, Malley will head a team responsible for advancing negotiations with Iran.

The Joe Biden administration has appointed Robert Malley, a member of the negotiating team with Iran in the JCPOA agreement, as the U.S. Special Envoy to Iran. A senior State Department official announced the news to Reuters on Thursday, January 28, stating that this seasoned diplomat will play a decisive role in one of the most difficult and controversial political challenges facing the new administration.

Malley was an important member of Barack Obama’s team in the nuclear negotiations that led to the JCPOA agreement in 2015—an accord that Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018 despite strong objections from America’s European allies.

The State Department official, who requested anonymity, said: “Blinken has assembled a dedicated team of experienced experts with diverse perspectives. This team, which includes our Special Envoy to Iran, will be led by Robert Malley; someone who has a successful track record in negotiations to constrain Iran’s nuclear program.”

The State Department official added that Blinken is confident that Malley and his team will be able to accomplish this task again (constraining Iran’s nuclear program).

When Malley’s name was first announced as a candidate for Special Envoy to Iran, some Republican representatives and pro-Israel groups in the U.S. Congress opposed him. These individuals believe that Malley lacks the necessary firmness toward Iran and takes harder positions toward Israel. However, several seasoned diplomats have defended him and considered him a well-regarded and non-partisan diplomat.

With this appointment, Malley will be a central figure in advancing Biden’s efforts to negotiate with Iran. He has served as president of the International Crisis Group, a non-governmental organization focused on international crises.

Malley has held various positions in the Obama and Clinton administrations focused on the Middle East and Persian Gulf countries, and was also an informal adviser to Joe Biden’s campaign team.

Source: DW