Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary, who is leading the campaign of economic pressure against Iran, has been relocated from his residence to a military base over what have been described as security threats from Iran.
The New York Times reported the development on Tuesday night, November 10, citing three sources familiar with the matter.
According to the report, the sources said US officials had concluded in recent weeks that Iranian plots against current and former US officials had entered a more advanced stage. This assessment was based in part on intelligence concerning threats against Bessent.
According to the sources, Bessent has been leading an economic pressure campaign since August aimed at financially isolating Iran through the imposition of tougher sanctions and restrictions on trade routes.
The sources believe that this role has made him one of the US government officials whom Iran is most intent on harming.
Scott Bessent is the latest senior US administration official to leave his residence in the Washington area for a military base or a protected residential facility.
It is worth noting that at least six other officials took similar measures last year, including Stephen Miller, who is now the White House Chief of Staff, and Pam Bondi, who was Attorney General at the time.
