Former President Joe Biden’s National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Brett McGurk, has publicly praised the Trump administration’s handling of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, calling it the ‘best place we can be.’ Speaking in a CNN interview late Monday, McGurk highlighted the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as a critical turning point in the crisis. The U.S. military launched late Saturday strikes targeting Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, with over 125 aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers, deployed under the direction of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. McGurk commended the Trump team for their strategic decision-making, stating, ‘I give extremely high marks to this national security team and President Trump for managing this crisis and getting where we are.’
The administration’s actions have been met with both praise and criticism, particularly from within the political sphere. Former Clinton official Jamie Metzl, who previously served in both Democratic and Republican administrations, also endorsed Trump’s decision to strike Iranian targets, despite his political allegiance to former Vice President Kamala Harris. Metzl argued that the strikes were essential for countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stating, ‘Iran has been at war with the United States for 46 years. Its regime has murdered thousands of American citizens. Its slogan ‘death to America’ was not window dressing but core ideology.’
However, the situation remains precarious, with both Israel and Iran accusing each other of violating the ceasefire agreement. Trump claimed that both sides have failed to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire, which he said was still in effect. ‘I’m not happy with them,’ Trump stated at the White House on Tuesday morning, expressing frustration with both Israel and Iran. ‘We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f— they’re doing.’
Beyond the military actions, discussions on a potential ceasefire in Gaza continue, with McGurk emphasizing the diplomatic opportunities that exist. ‘There’s a chance for diplomacy here,’ he said, citing ongoing backchannel talks in Cairo where a Hamas delegation is currently present. ‘Try to get that ceasefire in place. And you can come out of this in a place that is far better than we would have anticipated 10 nights ago.’ The situation remains a high-stakes geopolitical challenge, with the potential for further escalation or a diplomatic resolution hanging in the balance.