US has enough money for war against Iran, says Treasury Secretary Bessent

The U.S. government has enough money to fund the war against Iran, but it is asking for additional funds from Congress to ensure that the military will be well supplied in the future. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this on Sunday. He also stated that the U.S. may have to escalate attacks against Iran in order to end the war.

President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened to destroy power plants in Iran if Tehran does not fully open the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Just days earlier, he said the United States was very close to fulfilling the goals of its attacks and was considering ending them.

Asked about these seemingly contradictory statements on NBC television, Bessent said they were "not mutually exclusive." "Sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate," he said. "That's the only language the Iranians understand," he asserted.

According to reports, the military is asking for an additional $200 billion for the Iran war, which is facing opposition in Congress. Democrats and some Republicans are questioning the need for the funds after approving large record sums over the past year.

(reuters, im)