US Treasury Chief Evacuated to Base Over Iran Threats
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was relocated to a military base following security threats linked to Iran amid mounting economic tensions.
Portal Islam 
This article was first published in Indonesian. Baca versi Bahasa Indonesia →
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has reportedly left his residence in the Washington area and been relocated to a military base. US security authorities took this evacuation step following threats directed at several high-ranking government officials, which are believed to originate from Iran.
News of Bessent's relocation was first reported by The New York Times on Tuesday (Nov 10, 2026). According to a report by the Indonesian news outlet Republika, US intelligence detected a significant rise in threats against both serving and former officials, with Bessent emerging as a primary target.
Threat Context and Economic Operations
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have continued to escalate since the US-Israeli war against Iran broke out on February 28, 2026. Bessent himself is a central figure in President Donald Trump's administration's economic policy toward Iran.
As cited by Republika, Bessent has spearheaded a policy known as economic asphyxiation. Since August 2026, he has led a sanctions campaign dubbed Operation Economic Outcast. This operation aims to pressure Iran into halting attacks on shipping vessels and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, CNN Indonesia reported that a US Treasury Department spokesperson underscored the minister's stance regarding the threats:
The Secretary will not be deterred by the Iranian regime's threats and remains fully committed to executing Operation Economic Outcast and maintaining the blockade, which together are devastating the Iranian economy.
Other Impacted Officials
Bessent is not the only senior official forced to leave their private residence. Based on Republika's reporting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller have also been relocated to military bases or locations with specialized security.
Although the exact severity of the specific threat against Bessent remains undisclosed, US Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton previously warned that Iran has stepped up efforts to target Americans, both in the Middle East and elsewhere.
In responding to a turbulent world fraught with tension, Islam consistently teaches the ummah to prioritize peace and exercise restraint against transgressing limits. Allah has stated regarding the importance of justice and preserving peace:
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تُحِلُّوْا شَعَاۤىِٕرَ اللّٰهِ وَلَا الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَلَا الْهَدْيَ وَلَا الْقَلَاۤىِٕدَ وَلَآ اٰۤمِّيْنَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَانًا ۗوَاِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُوْا ۗوَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَاٰنُ قَوْمٍ اَنْ صَدُّوْكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اَنْ تَعْتَدُوْاۘ وَتَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوٰىۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْاِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۖوَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِيْدُ الْعِقَابِ ﴿٢﴾
O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred month or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of ihram, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
Qur'an, Surah Al-Maaida [5]: 2 (Sahih International)
By the time this report was filed on November 11, 2026, at 18:00 WIB (UTC+7), US security authorities continued to tighten surveillance over top officials amid a geopolitical situation showing no signs of easing.
