US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has relocated to a military base from his Washington home due to threats from Iran to his life, sources told Reuters on Wednesday.
It followed US intelligence officials’ warning that Iranian plans for American personnel and citizens were at an advanced stage, according to a memo seen by Reuters late last month.
The New York Times, citing sources familiar with the matter, first reported Bessent’s move. It was not immediately clear how serious the threats toward the Treasury secretary were.
Since August, Bessent has been leading President Donald Trump’s economic pressure programme against Iran. Operation Economic Outcast seeks to pressure Tehran to halt its attacks on shipping and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.
The US Treasury Department said Bessent would be ‘undeterred’ by threats.
“The secretary will not be discouraged by the Iranian regime’s threats and will go forward with the implementation of Operation Economic Outcast and the blockade, which is collapsing Iran’s economy,” a Treasury spokesman told reporters in an email.
Iran has previously denied plotting attacks against US officials and individuals on American soil. Tehran’s capability to undertake major operations abroad has also been deemed by US authorities to be constrained, reports Reuters.
