Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC on Friday that he will not allow attempts on his life to deter the U.S. from tightening financial penalties against the Islamic Republic. During an appearance on “Squawk Box,” Bessent confirmed he has received death threats from the Iranian leadership, whom he described as a “dangerous cornered animal,” and stated that the intimidation attempts prove that his campaign to isolate Tehran is working. He added that he would not hesitate to sanction more Iranian banks and that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would continue to face restrictions on their international travel and assets.
The comments follow reports that Bessent and his family were moved from their Washington, D.C. residence to a military base, with some sources citing Fort McNair, after intelligence warned that Iranian plots against U.S. officials had reached an “advanced stage.” Bessent has led “Operation Economic Outcast” since August, a campaign designed to cut off funding to the IRGC through a naval blockade and sweeping sanctions. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei dismissed the security reports as fabricated and an attempt by the U.S. to shift focus from its own record against Iran.
