US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved to a military base after alleged Iran-linked threats. The relocation comes amid heightened concern over reported Iranian plots targeting Americans.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has relocated from his residence to a military base following threats to his life allegedly linked to Iran, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.The exact nature and severity of the threats against Bessent were not immediately known. However, the reported relocation comes amid growing concerns within the Trump administration over potential Iranian plots targeting American officials and citizens.A senior US intelligence official had warned in a memo seen by Reuters last month that Tehran's efforts to target US personnel had intensified, with some lethal plots against American citizens reaching "advanced stages".Despite the heightened concerns, US officials have assessed that Iran's capacity to carry out large-scale attacks on American soil and other overseas locations remains limited, according to the newspaper.
Iran has previously denied allegations that it was plotting attacks against US officials or individuals on American soil. The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.BESSENT AT FOREFRONT OF US ECONOMIC PRESSURE CAMPAIGN AGAINST IRAN Bessent has emerged as one of the key figures in Washington's economic campaign against Tehran, using financial sanctions and restrictions to target Iran's oil revenues, banking networks and sources of funding.
The Treasury Department has been central to the Trump administration's efforts to intensify economic pressure on Iran, particularly during the US-Israeli war that began on February 28.Washington has sought to disrupt Tehran's ability to generate revenue and finance its military operations, with sanctions targeting individuals, companies, shipping networks and entities linked to Iran's oil trade.The economic pressure campaign has run alongside the military offensive, which has seen US and Israeli forces carry out strikes on Iranian military installations and other strategic targets. The attacks have killed thousands and displaced millions across the region.The conflict has also resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian officials, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Israeli military operations in Lebanon have added to the regional toll.With the war escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, concerns over potential retaliation against American personnel and officials have remained a significant security issue.- Ends