Bob is mentioned in the book the movie is made from.
He does not come off well.
Bob delayed the guys who wanted to go to the embassy as long as he could. Whether Bob delayed the guys through incompetence, stupidity or sheer stubbornness, I do not know.
The key to figuring out who had the ultimate authority on this situation (and would have had to OK a ‘rescue’ mission) is to realize that there is the CIA, and then there is the DEPT of STATE CIA.