On 13 November, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that he was not afraid of threats from Iran, despite being forced to move from his home in Washington to a military base. According to the official, the decision was taken on the recommendation of the US Secret Service due to a threat to his safety. This was reported by Reuters, citing an interview the minister gave to CNBC.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has stated that he is not afraid of threats from Iran.
- Due to a threat to his life, the official moved from his home to a military base.
- US intelligence had warned of preparations for possible attacks on US citizens and officials.
- Washington is continuing to apply sanctions pressure on Iran as part of Operation Economic Outcast.
- Tehran denies planning attacks on US officials on US soil.
Bessent explained why he is not afraid of Iran’s threats
During an interview with CNBC, the US Treasury Secretary emphasised that he had no intention of changing his stance in the face of possible death threats.
«Why should I be afraid when our brave soldiers in the Persian Gulf and President Donald Trump are constantly receiving death threats?» — he said Bessent.
He also mentioned Iran a dangerous animal that had been cornered, and explained that he was following the US Secret Service’s personal security guidelines.
According to the minister, the situation was complicated by the publication in January 2025 by *The Wall Street Journal* of a photograph of his house in the Georgetown area. The aerial photograph made it possible to pinpoint the location of the property.
Bessent described the publication of such an image as irresponsible and dangerous.
US intelligence had warned of possible attacks
News of the minister’s move to a military base first emerged on 10 November. According to Reuters, this was confirmed by two sources familiar with the situation. The New York Times was the first to report on the official’s change of residence.
In late October, a senior US intelligence official warned that suspected Iranian plots against US military personnel, officials and citizens had reached an advanced stage of preparation.
At the same time, the specific circumstances surrounding the threats against Bessent and their severity remain unknown. US officials have also acknowledged that Iran’s ability to carry out large-scale attacks abroad is limited.
Iran has previously denied any involvement in planning attacks on US officials and other individuals on US soil.
Why is the US Treasury Secretary under threat?
Scott Bessent plays a key role in Washington’s economic campaign against Iran. Since August 2026, he has been leading Operation Economic Outcast, which aims to intensify the pressure of sanctions on Tehran.
The US administration’s aim is to force the Iranian authorities to cease attacks on shipping and resume traffic through Strait of Hormuz.
This strategically important sea route remains largely blocked following the start of US and Israeli strikes against Iran on 28 February 2026.
The US economic campaign involves imposing restrictions on financial institutions and companies that facilitate transactions with Iran. At the same time, Washington is maintaining a naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The US Treasury Department claims that the sanctions and the blockade are weakening the Iranian economy. However, the statement does not provide an independent assessment of the extent of this impact.
Will Washington change its policy towards Iran?
Despite the tightening of security measures for Bessent, the US administration has not indicated any intention of scaling back its economic campaign against Tehran.
The US Department of the Treasury has previously stated that threats will not force the head of the department to abandon the sanctions policy and support for the blockade.
As of 13 November, Bessent confirmed that he had moved to a military base. The details of the threats to his life have not been made public, whilst Iran denies planning attacks on US officials. Washington’s economic pressure on Tehran continues.
