Bessent backed Trump’s ultimatum to Iran: “We must escalate in order to de-escalate”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke out in defense of President Donald Trump’s hardline strategy toward Tehran.
In an interview with NBC News, he stated that the Iranian leadership understands only the language of force, and that military strikes on infrastructure are a necessary tool to end the conflict.
Bassett’s comments came at a critical moment—just hours after President Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran on his social media platform, Truth Social.
The White House chief demands that the Strait of Hormuz be opened immediately and without any threats, or else the U.S. will strike Iranian power plants, “starting with the largest one.”
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has maintained since early March 2026, has triggered a global energy crisis.
Brent crude oil prices have already exceeded $112 per barrel, and global liquefied natural gas supplies are at risk of disruption.
The Iranian side has already responded to Trump’s threats.
Representatives of Tehran’s military command stated that in the event of an attack on their energy facilities, they would “without hesitation” launch retaliatory strikes against the entire energy, IT, and desalination infrastructure of the United States and its allies in the Persian Gulf region.
Recall that Trump hinted at the end of the war against Iran, but this cannot be trusted.
U.S. President Donald Trump also stated that he is not currently sending American troops to the Middle East, but at the same time hinted that he would not announce it even if he were planning to do so.
