Treasury chief slams media for misrepresenting Iran conflict and its economic fallout
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused the press of distorting the Iran war narrative, insisting the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz and highlighting Iran’s severe economic decline.
During a press briefing at the G20 finance ministers’ meeting in Asheville, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent lambasted recent media coverage of the ongoing military clash with Iran, calling the press Iran’s most effective ally for spreading falsehoods. He asserted that the United States retains control of the Strait of Hormuz and that recent kinetic strikes were aimed at dismantling Iranian radar, not seizing the waterway.
Bessent emphasized Iran’s dire financial situation, citing the rial’s slide from 800,000 per dollar to 2,100,000, and warned that the nation is in a “death spiral.” He noted that Iran’s president, parliament speaker, and central bank governor have all spoken about economic woes, yet the media has failed to report it. The secretary predicted that mounting pressure could cause the IRGC or the populace to turn against each other or push Tehran to negotiate. He also referenced President Donald Trump’s comments that previous talks failed because Iran was not ready for a deal.
Why it matters
The remarks highlight how U.S. officials view media narratives and signal potential shifts in Iran’s willingness to negotiate amid economic collapse.
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