McGurk Comments On Trump’s Handling Of Iran
Former Biden National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator Brett McGurk offered rare bipartisan praise on Monday, giving President Donald Trump and his NSC team “extremely high marks” for their handling of the recent Iran-Israel conflict.
McGurk’s assessment came during an interview on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, following Trump’s announcement of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. According to the terms outlined by the president, Iran would initiate the ceasefire, with Israel expected to follow within a 12-hour window, culminating in a formal end to hostilities by the 24th hour.
“This crisis is now in the stage of beginning to recede,” McGurk said. He described the recent escalation and de-escalation in terms of strategic maneuvering: “The American strike was turn one. We were waiting for a turn two from Iran. That’s exactly what happened today. The response was choreographed and largely ineffective, intercepted by both U.S. and Qatari defense systems.”
The timeline of events escalated rapidly after Israel’s June 12 preemptive strike killed high-ranking Iranian officials and damaged key nuclear facilities. Amid speculation about possible U.S. involvement, Trump issued a public warning to Iran. Days later, he confirmed that the U.S. had launched its own strike on three nuclear sites in Iran, calling the mission a “very successful attack.”
Brett McGurk, former Biden NSC Coordinator for the Middle East: “This is about the best place we can be. I give extremely high marks to this national security team and President Trump for managing this crisis.” pic.twitter.com/ivBsu1IFJC
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 24, 2025
McGurk revealed that this move followed a “flurry of backchannel diplomacy.” He added that the United States is now positioned as a central player in ongoing negotiations—not only with Iran, but also in Gaza, where a Hamas delegation is in Cairo seeking a separate ceasefire.
“This is about the best place we can be,” McGurk stated, praising Trump’s national security team for controlling escalation and creating diplomatic openings. He noted that European nations are preparing to reinstate sanctions unless progress is made before October, marking a potential diplomatic deadline for Iran.
Just days after the U.S. strike, Iran retaliated with a missile launch targeting the Al Udeid U.S. Air Base in Qatar. The attack caused no casualties, and Trump later confirmed that Iran had provided advance warning, allowing for defensive measures.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated operations would continue until 4 a.m. local time. Shortly after that deadline, Israeli sirens were triggered by another missile launch from Iran, although the ceasefire framework held.