Iran’s Fars News Agency reported the arrest on Thursday, citing an informed source.
Earlier in the month, Malekzadeh was appointed by Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi as the ministry’s deputy for administrative and financial affairs.
Malekzadeh, however, had to resign after Iranian lawmakers called for Salehi’s impeachment over his controversial nominee for the post.
The impeachment plan was cancelled after Salehi accepted his deputy’s resignation.
The move by the parliament followed a warning by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, which strongly criticized the choice over Malekzadeh’s financial irregularities