Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent moves to military base after Iranian threat

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been moved from his home near Washington, D.C. to a military base after intelligence reports indicated a threat to his life from Iran, according to The New York Times and Reuters, citing sources familiar with the situation.

Bessent has led a U.S. effort to intensify sanctions on Iran, describing it as an "economic onslaught" against Tehran.

National intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned in an unclassified memo that Iran has "substantially increased" attempts to target Americans abroad, including current and former officials such as Bessent.

A Treasury Department spokesperson said Bessent "will not be deterred by the Iranian regime's threats" and affirmed his continued commitment to the sanctions campaign.

The memo, which was also sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, coincided with adjustments to State Department staffing in the Middle East and a reduction in U.S. military presence in the region amid concerns over Iranian threats and those from Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen.

Recent weeks have seen the U.S. military withdraw some aircraft from two British bases following reported Iranian threats.