Top Trump official rushes out of interview for major national security issue
America is at war. Every day brings its own surprises.
And now a top Trump official rushes out of an interview for a major national security issue.
Treasury Secretary Interrupted Mid-Interview for Situation Room Meeting
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was speaking with Sky News host Wilfred Frost during an interview in the Treasury Department’s Cash Room when an aide interrupted to summon him to the White House Situation Room.
The aide stated, “The president wants you right away.”
Bessent left immediately, with his microphone removed, and returned after nearly two hours.
The interruption occurred amid discussions on the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, which began February 28, 2026, with Operation Epic Fury—a joint U.S.-Israel effort that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei.
Potential U.S. Navy Role in Strait of Hormuz
During the interview, Bessent addressed the possibility of U.S. Navy escorts for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane disrupted by Iran’s blockade in response to the conflict.
He said: “My belief is that as soon as it is militarily possible, the US Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through.”
He noted that some tankers, including Iranian and Chinese-flagged ones, were transiting the strait, indicating no mines had been laid: “There are, in fact, tankers coming through now, Iranian tankers, I believe some Chinese-flag tankers have come through. So we know that they have not mined the straits.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, in a separate CNBC interview, confirmed escorts were under consideration but not yet feasible due to military priorities: “It’ll happen relatively soon, but it can’t happen now. We’re simply not ready. All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities and the manufacturing industry that supplies their offensive capabilities.”
Bessent’s Post-Interruption Comments and Context
Upon returning, Bessent described President Trump as “in great spirits” and said the Iranian mission was “proceeding well ahead of schedule.”
He praised the administration’s leadership: “I can give this team my highest compliment from President Trump, to the head of the Joint Chiefs, to the Secretary of War. I would trust my child’s life in their hands.”
The conflict has cost the U.S. approximately $11 billion, with Bessent stating no price was too high. The Situation Room meeting focused on various issues, including financial impacts, though Bessent did not confirm if naval escorts were specifically discussed.
