Princeton University announced today that Robert Malley, the U.S. special envoy for Iran, will teach a course in foreign policy at the university this fall. The State Department granted Malley an unpaid leave pending a review of the security clearance that allows him access to classified information. According to a statement from Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs, Malley will teach a graduate course this fall on decision-making in foreign policy and one or two undergraduate courses in the spring focused on diplomacy, negotiation skills, and foreign policy.
In the statement, Malley expressed his "deep gratitude for the opportunity to work with the next generation of public servants during his leave from the State Department," adding that he looks forward to working at Princeton and then returning to government service in due course. It is unknown when the review of Malley's security clearance will conclude or what the outcome will be. Media reports indicate that Malley's security clearance was suspended during an investigation into how he handled classified materials.
Malley ceased his duties shortly before Iran released five Americans and transferred them to house arrest as part of a deal that included their departure from Iran and the release of six billion dollars of Iranian funds in South Korea. President Joe Biden appointed Malley in January 2021 to try to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, under which Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear program to reduce its ability to acquire a nuclear weapon in exchange for the easing of economic sanctions.
