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US Treasury chief Bessent moved to military base after Iranian threats

Summarised from 8 outlets · 13 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 18:44 · Archive

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has relocated from his Washington home to a military base following threats from Iran.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has relocated from his home in the Washington DC area to an undisclosed military base following threats against his life, according to multiple reports citing the New York Times. The relocation was disclosed on Tuesday by sources familiar with the matter, though the severity and nature of the threats remain unclear.

Bessent has led the US economic pressure campaign against Iran, known as Operation Economic Outcast, since August. The campaign involves sanctions and a naval blockade of Iranian ports intended to push Tehran to end attacks on shipping and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Bessent has vowed to bring about the economic "asphyxiation" of Iran through this web of sanctions and restrictions.

Security concerns surrounding Bessent intensified after the Wall Street Journal published an aerial photograph of his Georgetown mansion, which he purchased for $12.5 million shortly after his confirmation as Treasury secretary in January 2025. A source familiar with the matter said the photo allowed the property to be geo-located, prompting authorities to move him to the military base for his safety. One source told Al Jazeera that news media has an obligation to act responsibly amid growing threats against public officials.

A senior intelligence official in the Trump administration warned in a memo seen by Reuters late last month that Iranian plots against US personnel and American citizens had reached an advanced stage. US national intelligence chief Jay Clayton said in September that Iran has "substantially increased" its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond, including current and former US officials such as Bessent. Fox News reported that a senior administration official characterised threats against Bessent as having reached "more than an advanced stage."

Iran has previously denied plotting to attack officials and people on US soil. US officials have noted that Iran's ability to carry out large-scale attacks in the United States and other territories overseas is limited. The New York Times reported this assessment, though multiple outlets note that the immediate threat level to Bessent specifically remains unclear.

Bessent is one of several Trump administration officials to relocate to military or protected housing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller have also moved from their homes in recent weeks over security concerns. The US State Department has adjusted staffing at diplomatic posts across the Middle East, and the US military has removed some aircraft from two British bases in recent weeks following reported threats from Iran.

A Treasury Department spokesperson said Bessent "will not be deterred by the Iranian regime's threats" and remains committed to Operation Economic Outcast and maintaining the blockade. Secretary of State Rubio said on Tuesday that the US economic pressure campaign is working so effectively that there is no need to resume major combat operations against Iran.

US Treasury chief Bessent moved to military base after Iranian threats
Image: BBC World

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In this story: Scott Bessent · Marco Rubio · Stephen Miller · Jay Clayton · Iran · Washington DC · Georgetown · US Treasury Department

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log