US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent moved to military base after Iranian threats

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved from his home in the Washington area to a military base after Iranian threats targeting his life, according to the New York Times, citing three people familiar with the matter.

The newspaper reported that in recent weeks, US officials have concluded 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 most sought after by Iran,” according to sources.

The seriousness of the threats remains unclear, as US officials note that Iran’s ability to carry out large-scale attacks inside the United States is limited. However, Iran has previously issued specific threats against individuals considered serious, including a paid assassination plot targeting Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign.

A Treasury Department spokesperson said Bessent “will not be deterred by threats from the Iranian regime” and will continue to pursue the pressure campaign on Iran’s economy.

Bessent is the latest senior Trump administration official to relocate from his home to a military base or secure residence. At least six officials did so last year, including former White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and former Attorney General Pam Bondi, though not all threats were linked to Iran.

The economic pressure campaign primarily aims to cut off funding to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which controls a significant portion of the country’s economy, in hopes of sparing the US from resuming large-scale military operations.

Bessent and other officials say the campaign is having an effect, with Iran’s economy contracting, its currency collapsing, and living standards declining. However, US intelligence indicates that Iran’s leadership is determined to hold onto power “at almost any cost,” suggesting that economic pressure alone may not lead to regime change.

Last month, the US government raised its alert level for staff in the Middle East and reduced personnel at its embassies and consulates, based on intelligence that Iran is in advanced stages of planning attacks against Americans.