Scott Bessent Moved to Military Base After Iranian Threats, Reuters Reports

Bessent Relocates After Threats

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent moved from his Washington, D.C. area home to a military base after Iranian threats against his life, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.

U.S. officials concluded in recent weeks that Iranian plotting against current and former American officials had reached a more advanced stage, based in part on intelligence about threats to Bessent.

A senior intelligence official in the Trump administration warned in a memo seen by Reuters late last month that Iranian plots against U.S. personnel and American citizens had reached an advanced stage.

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Bessent has led the U.S. sanctions and economic pressure campaign against Iran, dubbed Operation Economic Outcast, since August, aiming to push Tehran to end attacks on shipping and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Economic pressure role3 of 10 outlets reported it · not in Al-Jazirah Net and 6 more▾

A Treasury Department spokesperson told Reuters that the secretary “will not be deterred by the Iranian regime's threats and remains committed to executing Operation Economic Outcast and maintaining the blockade.”

+1Treasury response7 of 12 outlets reported it · not in Mid East Online and 4 more▾

Reporting for this sectionThe New York TimesReuters

Threats, Limits, and Targeting

The severity of the threats to Bessent is unclear, while U.S. officials have noted that Iran’s ability to carry out large-scale attacks in the United States and other territories overseas is limited. Iran had made specific, targeted threats against individuals that U.S. officials deemed serious, including a murder-for-hire plot against President Trump during the 2024 campaign. A source familiar with the matter said security concerns surrounding Bessent increased when the Wall Street Journal published an aerial view of the Georgetown mansion that Bessent bought for $12.5 million shortly after his confirmation as Treasury secretary in January 2025.

The Reuters account said the photo allowed Bessent's home to be geolocated, and the source said Bessent was relocated to a military base for his safety. A Treasury Department spokesperson said Bessent “will not be deterred by the Iranian regime’s threats,” and said he remains committed to executing the campaign to squeeze Iran’s economy.

Reporting for this sectionThe New York TimesReuters

Economic Pressure and Security

Bessent has led an economic pressure campaign meant to isolate Iran financially through tougher sanctions and restrictions on trade routes since August. The campaign coincides with a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and has included sanctions on Middle Eastern bank branches and other financial services firms facilitating transactions with Iran. Bessent is the latest senior Trump administration official to leave a Washington-area home for a military base or other protected housing, with at least half a dozen doing so last year, including Stephen Miller and Pam Bondi.

The Times reported the severity of the threats to Bessent was not immediately clear, and it described Iran as having previously denied plotting to attack officials and people on U.S. soil. A Treasury spokesperson’s statement said Bessent “remains committed to executing the campaign to squeeze Iran’s economy,” even as U.S. officials assessed advanced-stage Iranian plotting against American officials.

Reporting for this sectionReutersThe New York Times