US Treasury secretary vows to press Iran economic crackdown despite threats

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reaffirmed his commitment to continue the campaign to tighten the economic squeeze on Iran, stressing that threats from the Iranian regime will not deter him from pursuing these efforts.

The New York Times reported that the Treasury Secretary recently moved from his home to reside at a military base, following Iranian threats targeting his life, according to informed sources.

The newspaper cited the same sources as saying that the nature and seriousness of the threats against Bessent remain unclear, while US officials noted Iran's limited ability to carry out large-scale attacks inside the United States or elsewhere in the world.

The report added that US officials have concluded in recent weeks that Iranian plots against current and former American officials have reached an "advanced stage," based in part on intelligence regarding threats to Bessent.

Since August, Bessent has led an economic pressure campaign aimed at financially isolating Iran by tightening sanctions and restricting trade routes, making him "one of the administration officials Iran most seeks to harm," according to sources.

The seriousness of the threats remains unclear, with US officials pointing out Iran's limited capacity for major attacks within the US. However, Iran has previously issued specific threats considered dangerous, including a paid assassination plot targeting Trump during the 2024 campaign.