Treasury chief defends US actions in Iran: "Sometimes you have to escalate to de‑escalate"

On March 23, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the Trump administration’s recent military actions against Iran, arguing that escalation may be necessary to ultimately reduce tensions.

“Sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate,” Bessent said, as the United States and Israel continue a joint military campaign that began in February, according to US media reports.

His remarks came shortly after President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran, giving its leadership 48 hours to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face significant military consequences. Trump said potential strikes “will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” Bessent supported the president’s approach, stating that such rhetoric is “the only language the Iranians understand.”

The conflict has increasingly raised concerns about attacks on critical infrastructure. While the U.S. has so far avoided targeting Iran’s oil facilities, Iranian officials warned they would retaliate if such assets were hit. “If Iran’s fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked, then fuel, energy, information technology systems and desalination infrastructure used by America and the regime in the region will be struck,” said Col. Ebrahim Zolfaqari, according to Iran’s state news agency.

Tensions have also centered on Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran’s oil exports. Trump recently claimed the U.S. military had “totally decimated” the island but avoided damaging energy infrastructure, noting that rebuilding it “would take years.” He added, “we may hit it a few more times just for fun.”

Bessent reiterated that “all options are on the table” regarding Kharg Island, including the possibility of deploying U.S. troops to secure it. However, he did not elaborate on what it would mean for the island to become a U.S. asset.

At the same time, the Treasury Department has taken steps to ease certain sanctions on Iran, allowing the sale of oil currently stranded at sea. Bessent said the move could bring about 140 million barrels of oil to global markets and help stabilize rising energy prices. He described the strategy as “jujitsuing the Iranians” by “using their own oil against them,” adding that the oil “was always going to be sold to the Chinese” at a discount.

The decision has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Murphy, who warned that the administration’s strategy risks further destabilizing the situation. “This administration has totally lost touch with reality. This war is spinning out of control. Prices are spiking for millions of Americans,” Murphy said.

He also rejected the idea that escalation would lead to peace, comparing the current approach to past U.S. conflicts. “It’s like they’ve never read a history book,” Murphy said. “That’s exactly what our leaders said in the middle of Vietnam and in the 20 years of mismanagement in Afghanistan.” He added, “We need to end this war.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev