US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Friday that assassination threats had forced him to abandon his home and relocate to a military base, using a television interview to deliver a blistering attack on Iran's leadership.
Speaking to CNBC host Joe Kernen about the circumstances of his move, Bessent did not hold back. "You know what I have to say, Joe? F the Iranian leadership," he said.
"I'm not going to be cowered by the death threats they have made against me. The other Cabinet members won't be cowered either," he added.
Bessent argued that the threats aimed at him are proof that the American economic pressure campaign against Tehran, dubbed "Operation Economic Outcast," is succeeding in weakening the regime.
"What we're doing is working. Why should I be afraid when our brave military personnel are in the Persian Gulf and President Trump receives death threats all the time?" he said.
The Treasury secretary described Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as "a dangerous animal backed into a corner."
Bessent said his relocation to the military base was carried out at the direction of the US Secret Service. He also took aim at The Wall Street Journal, accusing the newspaper of publishing a photograph of his home that revealed its exact location even though his staff had repeatedly asked it not to.
"This is extremely irresponsible and dangerous conduct, and things like this must stop," he said.
In recent months, Bessent has spearheaded the Trump administration's sanctions and economic pressure campaign against Iran, running in parallel with the US naval blockade.
Earlier this week, The New York Times and Reuters reported that Bessent had moved onto a military base after intelligence warnings about Iranian threats targeting senior US officials.
