Update · 11 Nov 2026, 3:50 PM PKT: Iran is said to have geo-located Bessent's $12.5m mansion in Washington, DC, after a photo of the property was published.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved from his home in the Washington area to a military base after an Iranian threat against his life, according to a report published on Tuesday. The report cited three people familiar with the matter, and said the severity of the threats against him was unclear.
Bessent has led a US drive to weaken Iran’s economy since the Middle East war began. He has promised “economic asphyxiation” of the Islamic republic through a web of sanctions. A request for comment has been sent to the Treasury.
Iranian plotting against US officials escalates
US national intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned last month that Tehran had “substantially increased” its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond. According to the anonymous sources, those efforts now include stepped-up targeting of current and former US officials such as Bessent.
The sources said Iranian plotting against US officials has reached a “more advanced stage”.
Security measures across the region
Washington ordered non-essential embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia last month, following increasing attacks from Tehran-backed Houthi fighters. The US military has also removed some aircraft from two British bases in recent weeks after reported threats from Iran.
Diplomacy to end the war gains pace
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the squeeze on Iran’s economy had made further attacks unnecessary, as diplomatic efforts to end the war gather steam.
