Treasury Secretary Bessent moved to military base over Iranian threats, NYT reports

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was reportedly moved from his Washington, D.C., home to a military base due to Iranian threats on his life.

The New York Times, citing officials familiar with the matter, said U.S. officials had concluded that Iranian plotting against current and former American officials had reached a more advanced stage. Separately, Reuters reported that the severity of the threats against Bessent was not immediately clear.

Role in "Operation Economic Outcast"

Bessent has led "Operation Economic Outcast," a Treasury campaign launched in August to isolate Iran economically through sanctions and other financial measures, in addition to U.S. military actions. The Times reported that Bessent's role in that campaign has made him one of the Trump administration officials Iran most wanted to target.

Indictment of Three Iranian Nationals

The move comes as the Department of Justice said late Tuesday that three Iranian nationals had been indicted on terrorism-related charges. The department said the three were allegedly involved in nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and the United States.

The alleged plots included a September 2026 attack targeting RAF Fairford in the U.K., where U.S. military personnel were stationed.

"Anyone who plans a terrorist plot on a military base housing American servicemembers will be prosecuted by the United States government," Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

Earlier in October, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran was involved in the incident at RAF Fairford that led to the arrest of five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the allegation, writing on X that Burnham was "barking up the wrong tree."

RAF Fairford, in Gloucestershire, is a key U.S. Air Force operating location in Europe and has supported deployments of American strategic bombers and other aircraft.

Stalled Negotiations

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly said military action against Iran may not be necessary if economic sanctions and Washington's naval blockade are working.

On Monday, President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that "Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others, would prefer the status quo, in other words, a continuation of the Greatest Naval Blockade in History." He added: "We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict."

Asked Tuesday why he would not simply declare an end to the Iran war, Trump said he wanted to ensure U.S. allies in the region were "not hurt" and that there was a "long term solution."

However, Iranian officials have denied that negotiations are underway. Security chief Mohsen Rezaei said claims that talks were continuing were aimed at "easing economic pressures and reducing oil prices."

Oil Prices

Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude prices edged higher during Wednesday's Asia trading session, at about $92 and $86 per barrel, respectively.