US Treasury chief Bessent moved to military base after ‘Iranian threats’
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has relocated from his Washington, DC, home to an undisclosed military base following reports of Iranian threats to his life.
The New York Times and Reuters reported the relocation on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The severity of the threats remains unclear.
Bessent has led a US economic pressure campaign against Iran, dubbed Operation Economic Outcast, since August. The campaign aims to force Tehran to end attacks on shipping and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In April, the US announced a blockade on Iranian ports, but Tehran has remained defiant despite the naval siege. A spokesperson for the Treasury said, the secretary will not be deterred by the Iranian regime’s threats and remains committed to executing Operation Economic Outcast and maintaining the blockade, which together are collapsing Iran’s economy.
Geo-location and security concerns
Security concerns increased when The Wall Street Journal published an aerial view of the Georgetown mansion Bessent bought for $12.5m in January 2025. The photo allowed the property to be geo-located, prompting the move to a military base for his safety.
The news media has an obligation to act responsibly amid growing threats against public officials.
US officials have noted that Iran’s ability to carry out large-scale attacks in the US is limited. However, US national intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned last month that Tehran has "substantially increased" its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond.
Those efforts include beefing up the targeting of current and former US officials such as Bessent. US and Israeli attacks killed top Iranian officials, including the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, early in their war on Iran.
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