Biden Aide Reveals Tense Moments in Preventing Wider War with Iran

Former senior advisor to U.S. President Joe Biden, Brett McGurk, has revealed details from his upcoming book, "On the Brink: An Inside Account of the Race to Free the Hostages on October 7th," offering an inside look at the U.S. efforts to prevent a wider Middle East war in 2024. McGurk's account, published in The Atlantic, details diplomatic and military actions taken to thwart an unprecedented Iranian attack and avert regional escalation.

The book recounts the stalled negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas, with McGurk's February 2024 visit to Cairo to revive talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel and Hamas affairs lead Ahmed Abdel-Khalek. McGurk describes the difficulties, with Kamel noting that both sides believed they could win, hindering progress. Hamas's demands for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the delayed release of women were key sticking points, as was Yahya Sinwar's directive to hold women hostage until the end of the process.

McGurk also details a deterioration in U.S.-Israel relations, particularly after the U.S. abstained from a UN Security Council vote calling for a ceasefire. Israeli Minister Ron Dermer reportedly called McGurk, questioning why the Biden administration treated Israel like a "doormat." Tensions peaked in April 2024 following Israel's strike in Damascus that killed senior Iranian officer Mohammad Reza Zahedi. McGurk notes that Israel's military attaché in Washington, Hila Zilberman, informed him of the strike minutes beforehand, insisting the targeted building was not a consulate.

Following the Damascus strike, Iran prepared a massive retaliatory attack. On April 4, 2024, Biden reportedly confronted Netanyahu in a heated phone call, with McGurk quoting Biden as saying, "Bibi, man, what the hell are you doing? You think I'm Santa Claus? There's no Santa in Israel, man." Biden also warned he could halt military aid if humanitarian steps weren't taken but pledged support against Iran, framing it as a "deal."

On the night of April 13, 2024, as Iran launched over 200 drones and 100 ballistic missiles, Biden and his team monitored the situation in the Situation Room. McGurk describes moments of prayer amidst the tension. After the successful interception of the Iranian attack, which resulted in only minor injuries in Israel, Biden spoke with Netanyahu. McGurk recounts Biden telling his staff before the call, "I just saved his ass, that's what happened. Close this out here." During the call, Biden advised Netanyahu to "take the win" and respond in a way that would not lead to further escalation, aiming to end the direct exchange of fire.