U.S. Treasury Secretary Defends Trump's 'Final Ultimatum' Remarks: "Escalation Needed for De-escalation"

"Temporary Sanctions Relief on Iranian Oil Allows Sales to Allies Such as Korea"

Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary, who visited Korea last year, is attending the first session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Photo by Yonhap News

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended U.S. President Donald Trump's "48-hour final ultimatum" statement, describing it as "the only language (rhetoric) Iran understands." He also justified the temporary lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iranian and Russian crude oil, arguing that it allows the oil to go to allies such as Korea instead of China.

On the 22nd (local time), Secretary Bessent appeared on NBC's Sunday current affairs program and, in support of the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian energy facilities, stated, "Sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate in order to calm a situation."

This interview took place just hours after President Trump threatened on Truth Social to devastate Iran’s energy facilities if Iran did not open the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

Secretary Bessent also reiterated that "all options are on the table," including deploying U.S. troops to seize Kharg Island, an area that serves as a key oil production base for Iran.

Previously, in an interview with Fox Business, Secretary Bessent said, "The military assets on Kharg Island have been destroyed. Let's see if that place eventually becomes a U.S. asset." Some observers interpreted this remark as an indication that the Trump Administration may be preparing to send ground troops to launch an amphibious assault on Kharg Island.

In particular, Secretary Bessent defended the temporary lifting of sanctions on Iranian crude oil. When the NBC host asked if the temporary lifting of sanctions had allowed Iran to earn $14 billion (21 trillion won) in revenue, Secretary Bessent replied, "Iranian oil is always sold to China at a discounted price," adding, "If it goes to Indonesia, if it goes to Japan, if it goes to Korea, our situation improves."

He further stated, "We have always prepared for such emergencies," and described using Iranian oil against Iran as "doing Jujitsu on the Iranians."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.