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Scott Bessent Defends U.S. Military Escalation Against Iran Amid Soaring Oil Prices And Risks
- On Sunday, March 22, 2026, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, saying on Meet the Press 'sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate'.
- President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum on Saturday threatening strikes if Iran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran's military command warned via Col. Ebrahim Zolfaqari of reciprocal strikes on U.S. infrastructure.
- The Treasury moved to allow sales of Iranian oil stranded at sea, potentially releasing about 140 million barrels into markets and enabling Japan and South Korea to buy crude, officials said.
- Brent crude futures surged to $107.24 amid the conflict, with early war costs exceeding more than $11 billion and the administration seeking more than $200 billion from U.S. Congress.
- Reuters described internal talks about sending thousands more U.S. troops and Bessent left open securing Kharg Island as Emmanuel Macron urged stopping attacks on energy and water systems amid Iran’s retaliatory capacity.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Trump defends Treasury Department lifting sanctions on Iranian oil
President Donald Trump on Monday defended the Treasury Department‘s easing of sanctions against Iranian oil, saying he wants to have “as much oil in the system as possible.” Trump was asked about the sanctions relief, which could possibly produce $14 billion in revenue for Iran, while boarding Air Force One in Florida on Monday. “We don’t even know if Iran gets that money,” Trump said. “Frankly, I think it’s very hard for them to get it, but you…
Victor Davis Hanson: Trump Won the Battle, But Will He Take Iran?
Editor’s note: This is a lightly edited transcript of today’s video from Daily Signal Senior Contributor Victor Davis Hanson. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see more of his videos. Hello, this is Victor Davis Hanson. We’re concluding the third week of the Israeli-United States effort to emasculate Iran, and we’re, sort of, in a standoff period. I think people have compared Iran to the black knight in the old Monty Python movie. The more tha…
US easing sanctions on Iranian oil despite war
After years of maintaining heavy sanctions on Iran during both terms in office, President Trump temporarily lifts sanctions on Iranian oil exports – in the middle of the ongoing war with Iran. By World Israel News Staff The United States has moved to temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil shipments in an effort to stabilize global energy markets amid soaring prices driven by the ongoing conflict with Iran. The decision, announced by the US Tr…
MichaelSavage.com – Scott Bessent suggests Trump may ‘escalate to de-escalate’ Iran war — says ‘50 days’ of higher prices will be worth it
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued Sunday that President Trump may need to “escalate to de-escalate” the war in Iran — while asserting the higher prices Americans are facing because of the conflict are worth it to ensure Iran never builds a nuclear weapon. Bessent’s comments on NBC’s “Meet the Press” come one day after Trump…
Scott Bessent calls out 'terrible framing' during clash with NBC News host on Iranian oil
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, arguing the move keeps U.S. oil prices below $100, as he accused the host of "terrible framing."
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