US EditionUS May 'Escalate to De-Escalate' Against Iran: Treasury Chief
Treasury Secretary Bessent said easing sanctions will release 140 million barrels of Iranian oil to ease global energy prices while aiming to pressure Iran militarily.
- On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended strikes on Iran's infrastructure, saying 'sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate', and supported a Saturday move easing sanctions to bring 'approximately 140 million barrels of oil to global markets'.
- The U.S.-Israel campaign has combined military strikes, economic measures, and warnings, disrupting the Strait of Hormuz and creating energy-market volatility; a strike produced visible smoke over Tehran, Iran, on March 8, 2026.
- U.S. officials said President Donald Trump is weighing sending troops to Kharg Island, about 15 miles off Iran, after Trump's Truth Social post gave a 48-hour ultimatum on the Strait of Hormuz.
- Higher crude prices and U.S. gas prices surge, critics warn sanctions easing could fund Iran amid market turmoil and political risks.
- Bessent refused to set a timeline, saying 'I don't know whether it's going to be 30 days...50 days...100 days', arguing long-term peace justifies short-term costs.
38 Articles
38 Articles
Middle East conflict: Scott Bessent defends US strikes on Iran, says ‘you have to escalate to de-escalate’
Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the US strikes on Iran. His remarks came a day after President Donald Trump threatened to obliterate power plants in Iran, if it fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
InsideNoVA.com
US may 'escalate to de-escalate' against Iran: Treasury chief
The United States may need to "escalate" its attacks against Iran to be able to wind down the war, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday, after President Donald Trump gave seemingly contradictory trajectories for the US military campaign.
Trump threat to hit power plants 'only language' Iran gets: Bessent
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 Irania…
Trump Admin's "Jiu-Jitsu" Strategy: Treasury Secretary Defends Iran Conflict And Oil Tactics - Tampa Free Press
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday morning to address the escalating military conflict with Iran, telling moderator Kristen Welker that the administration is in a phase where it must “escalate to de-escalate.” Responding to questions about whether President Trump is winding down or ramping up the war, Bessent argued the […] Trump Admin’s “Jiu-Jitsu” Strategy: Treasury Secretary Defends Iran Conflict And Oil …
Scott Bessent says the U.S. needs to ‘escalate to de-escalate’ in Iran: Full interview
In an exclusive interview with Meet the Press, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discusses the Trump Administration’s decision to remove sanctions on Iranian oil and talks about the cost of war with Iran.
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