Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended President Donald Trump’s escalating threats against Iran, suggesting stronger military pressure may be necessary to force de-escalation in the widening conflict.
Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Bessent addressed Trump’s recent comments that U.S. forces would begin targeting Iran’s power plants if the country doesn’t open the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil artery.
“This is the only language the Iranians understand,” Bessent said. “The president will take whatever steps necessary to achieve those goals.”
Bessent emphasized that the administration is intentionally maintaining strategic ambiguity.
“He’s not going to give away what we’re going to do. … He’s leaving all options on the table,” Bessent said.
The remarks underscore the administration’s approach to the conflict, which has included a mix of military strikes, economic maneuvers, and warnings aimed at deterring further Iranian retaliation. The conflict has already disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, causing volatility in energy markets and concerns about rising fuel costs.
Bessent pointed to recent U.S. military actions as evidence of pressure already being applied.
“We had a very successful bombing campaign against the military installations … the nexus for all the Iranian oil supply,” he said.
At the same time, the administration has taken steps to stabilize oil prices, including lifting sanctions to allow Iranian oil shipments to reach global markets under certain conditions — a move Bessent framed as strategic rather than conciliatory.
“Iranian oil was always going to be sold. … It was going to be sold at a discount,” he said, arguing that the policy gives the U.S. greater visibility and leverage over where revenue flows.
Bessent stressed that the Trump administration’s goal is long-term security, even if it requires short-term economic strain, saying, “There is no prosperity without security.” He added that Americans should expect a period of higher prices before stability returns.
TRUMP THREATENS TO ‘OBLITERATE’ IRAN’S POWER PLANTS IF STRAIT OF HORMUZ NOT OPEN IN 48 HOURS
The administration is also weighing a request for more than $200 billion in additional funding for the war, a proposal already facing resistance, as thousands more U.S. troops head to the Middle East.
Despite mounting concerns about escalation, Bessent maintained that stronger action could shorten the conflict. He argued that escalation could act as de-escalation, saying the two are “not mutually exclusive.”
