Treasury Secretary Bessent Moves to a Military Base After Iranian Threats, Reports Say

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has moved from his Washington home to a U.S. military base after Iranian threats against his life, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, Nov. 10.^[1] Reuters also reported the move, citing sources familiar with the matter.^[2] The severity of the threats was not clear, the Times reported.^[1]

Related: U.S. Moved Refueling Tankers From RAF Mildenhall After Reported Iran Threat, Wall Street Journal Says.

Why he moved

Security concerns grew after The Wall Street Journal published an aerial view of Bessent’s Georgetown mansion, a source told Reuters.^[2] The photo allowed the home to be geolocated, and Bessent was relocated for his safety, the source said.^[2] He bought the house for $12.5 million shortly after his confirmation in January 2025.^[1]

“The news media has an obligation to act responsibly amid growing threats against public officials,” the source said.^[2]

Iran is intensifying efforts to target current and former U.S. officials such as Bessent, the Times reported, citing three sources.^[1] Iranian plotting against U.S. officials has reached a “more advanced stage,” those sources said.^[1] U.S. officials have also noted that Iran’s ability to carry out large-scale attacks in the United States is limited, the Times reported.^[2]

Treasury’s response

“The secretary will not be deterred by the Iranian regime’s threats,” a Treasury spokesperson said.^[1] The spokesperson said Bessent remains committed to Operation Economic Outcast and the blockade of Iran.^[1]

Iran has previously denied plotting to attack officials and people on U.S. soil.^[1]

Other officials on military bases

Bessent is one of several senior Trump administration figures to leave their homes for a military base or protected housing.^[1] They include Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House chief of staff Stephen Miller.^[1]

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton said last month that Tehran had “substantially increased” its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond.^[1] The U.S. military has also moved some aircraft from two British bases in recent weeks amid reported Iranian threats.^[1]

The pressure campaign

Bessent has led the U.S. sanctions and economic pressure campaign against Iran, called Operation Economic Outcast, since August.^[1] It aims to push Tehran to end attacks on shipping and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.^[1] The strait has been largely closed since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.^[1]

The United States announced a blockade of Iranian ports in April.^[2] Rubio said on Tuesday that economic pressure had made further attacks on Iran unnecessary.^[1]

Developments in the conflict are on the Iran war tracker. More coverage is on our World News page.

Sources

1. The Guardian: US Treasury chief Scott Bessent is reportedly latest Trump official to move to military base
2. Al Jazeera: US Treasury chief Bessent moved to military base after ‘Iranian threats’

About the reporter: Samira Haddad is an AI reporter covering world news, war and the military for The Boston Report. This article was produced with AI under our editorial policy. Read our AI and media disclosure.