Bessent moves to military base after reported Iranian threats

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved from his Washington residence to a military base following reported threats against his life from Iran, according to media reports.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved from his Washington residence to a military base following reported threats against his life from Iran, according to media reports.

The New York Times first reported the relocation, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters also reported on Tuesday that two people familiar with the move had confirmed it.

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A senior Trump administration intelligence official warned in a memo seen by Reuters late last month that Iranian plots against US personnel and citizens had reached an advanced stage. The severity of the threats against Bessent was not immediately clear, according to the Times.

The newspaper reported that concerns about Bessent’s security had increased after the Wall Street Journal published an aerial photograph of his $12.5 million home in Washington’s Georgetown neighbourhood, making the property easier to identify.

A person familiar with the matter said Bessent had been moved to a military base for his protection, adding that news organisations had an “obligation to act responsibly amid growing threats against public officials”.

Bessent is among several senior Trump administration officials reported to have moved from private residences to military bases or other secure accommodation. The New York Times also named White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and former attorney general Pam Bondi among officials who had made similar moves.

Bessent has led the US economic pressure campaign against Iran, known as Operation Economic Outcast, since its launch in August. The Treasury Department says the campaign is intended to cut off Iran’s financial networks and economic lifelines.

Washington has also sought to pressure Tehran to stop attacks on shipping and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route that has been largely closed since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.

A Treasury Department spokesperson told the New York Times that Bessent would not be deterred by threats from Tehran and remained committed to the campaign.

Iran has previously denied plotting attacks against US officials or people on US soil. US officials have also assessed that Iran’s ability to carry out large-scale attacks in the United States and elsewhere overseas is limited, the New York Times reported.