Bessent moved to military base as Iran threats exceed ‘advanced stage,’ official says
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been moved to a military base following credible assassination threats from Iran, a senior administration official confirmed.
The security measures extend beyond Bessent, with White House chief of staff Stephen Miller and Secretary of State Marco Rubio also relocating to military or protected housing in recent weeks. The threats against Bessent had reached "more than an advanced stage," the official told Fox News, though the exact timing of the relocation was not disclosed.
Bessent has been a central figure in the economic campaign against Iran, launching "Operation Economic Outcast" this summer. The initiative aims to isolate Iran's economy from the global financial system, with Bessent stating that the sanctions would bring about the "asphyxiation" of Tehran's economy.
The Treasury Department confirmed Bessent's departure in a statement to Fox News on Tuesday, adding that the secretary refuses to "be deterred by the Iranian regime’s threats."
The move comes as President Donald Trump seeks to end the ongoing war through diplomatic channels, leaning away from a return to full-scale military conflict. The security measures are part of a broader effort to protect senior officials amid what U.S. intelligence warns has been a "substantially increased" effort by Iran to target Americans abroad.
Economic pressure intensifies
Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed the possibility of re-escalating the conflict, arguing that economic measures are achieving the same objectives as military strikes. He rejected the idea that the U.S. and Iran were at a stalemate, asserting that sanctions, naval blockades, and other measures are steadily weakening Tehran.
The economic campaign has been a key part of the U.S. strategy in the war, with the administration maintaining that financial pressure is the most effective tool to force Iran to the negotiating table. The relocation of Bessent underscores the high stakes involved in this approach.
Political implications
The war has become a significant political issue in the U.S., with the House vote for 34% of voters citing the conflict as a crucial factor. About six in 10 voters said the U.S. had made the wrong decision to take military action against Iran, according to a Fox News Voter Poll.
The security measures taken for Bessent and other senior officials reflect the growing risks associated with the administration's aggressive economic and diplomatic approach to Iran. As the war continues, the balance between pressure and escalation remains a critical concern for policymakers.
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