US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reportedly been moved from his home in Washington, DC, to a military base due to Iranian death threats.
The New York Times, citing officials familiar with the matter, said U.S. officials had concluded that the Iranian plot against current and former U.S. officials had reached a more advanced stage.
Separately, Reuters reported that the seriousness of the threats against Bessent was not immediately clear.
Bessent led “Operation Economic Outcast,” a Treasury campaign launched in August to economically isolate Iran 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 wants to target.
The move comes as the Justice Department said late Tuesday that three Iranian nationals had been indicted on terrorism-related charges.
The department said the three men were allegedly involved in nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks across Europe and the United States.
The alleged plots included an attack in September 2026 targeting RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom, where U.S. military personnel were stationed.
“Anyone who plans a terrorist plot on a military base housing U.S. service members will be prosecuted by the U.S. government,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Earlier in October, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Iran was involved in the incident at RAF Fairford which led to the arrest of five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later rejected the allegation, writing on
RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, is a key operational site for the US Air Force in Europe and has supported the deployment of US strategic bombers and other aircraft.
Negotiations at a standstill
Separately, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly said that military action against Iran may not be necessary if Washington’s economic sanctions and naval blockade work.
On Monday, President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that “Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and others would prefer the status quo, in other words, the continuation of the largest naval blockade in history.”
“We are seeing positive momentum toward the end of this conflict,” Trump added.
When asked Tuesday why he wouldn’t simply declare an end to the war in Iran, Trump said he wanted to ensure that 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 the ongoing talks were aimed at “relieving economic pressures and reducing oil prices.”
Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude prices rose slightly during Wednesday’s Asian trading session, to around $92 and $86 per barrel, respectively.
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