Why did Scott Bessent move from his Washington-area home to a military base?

Officials determined that Bessent’s home could be geo-located after a photo of the property was published. A source familiar with the situation said security concerns had increased and forced the relocation for his safety.

Which other Trump cabinet officials have moved into military housing amid Iran-linked threats?

Bessent is the third senior cabinet official reported to have moved into military housing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth were reported to have moved before him.

What did Marco Rubio say about further U.S. attacks on Iran?

Rubio said Tuesday that the U.S. squeeze on Iran’s economy made further attacks unnecessary, as diplomatic efforts to end the war appeared to be gathering steam.

US Treasury chief relocates to base after Iran threat

Listen

Summary

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent relocated from his Washington-area home to a military base for his safety amid threats linked to Iran. An official source said security concerns rose after a photo of the property was published and the home could be geo-located. Bessent is the third Trump cabinet official reported to have moved into military housing, after Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth. A Treasury spokesperson said Bessent would continue the sanctions campaign against Iran.

Key Facts

Bessent has led a U.S. effort to weaken Iran’s economy through sanctions since the Middle East war began.
U.S. national intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned last month that Tehran had substantially increased efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond.
Washington ordered non-essential U.S. embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia last month after attacks by Tehran-backed Houthi fighters increased.
The U.S. military removed some aircraft from two British bases in recent weeks following reported threats from Iran.
Marco Rubio said Tuesday that the U.S. economic pressure on Iran made further attacks unnecessary.

By AFP

Published Nov 12, 2026 2:21 am KST

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks during a press conference in St. Cloud, Minn. on Oct. 30. Minnesota Star Tribune via AP-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has relocated from his home in the Washington area to a military base "for his safety," an official source familiar with the situation confirmed Wednesday — amid threats linked to Iran.

Bessent is the third senior official in President Donald Trump's cabinet reported to have moved into military housing, following Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Bessent has spearheaded a U.S. push to cripple Iran's economy since the start of the Middle East war through a web of sanctions.

Bessent "will not be deterred by the Iranian regime's threats" and will continue implementing actions which are "collapsing Iran's economy," a Treasury spokesperson said.

U.S. national intelligence chief Jay Clayton warned last month that Tehran has "substantially increased" its efforts to target Americans in the Middle East and beyond.

Bessent's relocation came after officials determined the Treasury chief's Washington home could be geo-located following publication on a photo of the property.

"Security concerns began to increase which have now forced the Secretary to relocate to a military base for his safety," the source said. "The news media has an obligation to act responsibly amid growing threats against public officials."

Washington ordered non-essential U.S. embassy staff and their families to leave Saudi Arabia last month, following increasing attacks from Tehran-backed Houthi fighters.

The U.S. military has also removed some aircraft from two British bases in recent weeks following reported threats from Iran.

Diplomatic efforts to end the war appear to be gathering steam, with Rubio saying on Tuesday that the U.S. squeeze of Iran's economy made further attacks unnecessary.

Explore More