U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was forced to leave his Washington home and move onto a military base as security concerns grew amid Iranian threats. A photo posted online reportedly made it possible to geolocate that residence in the U.S. capital.
A source told AFP that publication of the photograph had made it possible to locate the secretary’s home. According to the information reported, that exposure is the basis for the explanation of the private address’s vulnerability.
A Treasury spokesperson said Scott Bessent “will not be intimidated” by Iranian threats, according to Reuters. The spokesperson said the secretary remains committed to sanctions and to the economic blockade directed against Tehran.
The United States also evacuated military aircraft stationed at the British air base RAF Mildenhall, in eastern England, on Monday following a threat from Iran, media reported on Tuesday. The move comes one month after aircraft were withdrawn from another English base.
The Treasury secretary’s move to safety and the dispersal of these aircraft are reported amid the same climate of tension with Iran. The available information does not, however, establish a direct operational link between the geolocation of the Washington home and the evacuation of RAF Mildenhall.