Bessent relocates from D.C.-area home to military base following Iran threats

Washington — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has relocated from his home in the Washington, D.C., area to a military base following a series of Iranian threats against his life.

"The secretary will not be deterred by the Iranian regime's threats and remains committed to executing Operation Economic Outcast and maintaining the blockade, which together are collapsing Iran's economy," a Treasury Department spokesperson said. 

The decision comes as Bessent has led a U.S. push to cripple Iran's economy, vowing an "economic onslaught" against Tehran through a web of sanctions. The New York Times first reported Bessent's relocation. 

A source familiar with the situation pointed to a Wall Street Journal story as the impetus for the move. 

"After The Wall Street Journal published an article featuring an online photo that allowed the location of the secretary's Georgetown home to be geo-located, security concerns began to increase which have now forced the secretary to relocate to a military base for his safety," the person told CBS News. 

CBS News has also reached out to the White House for comment.

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

Clayton's warning, contained in an unclassified memo that was sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and obtained by CBS News, came as the State Department adjusted staffing at diplomatic posts across the Middle East.