Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was pulled out of a live interview and rushed to the White House Situation Room, as Iran escalated its actions in the Strait of Hormuz. The moment was caught on camera and later shared on social media.
According to Mediaite, Bessent was speaking with Wilfred Frost of Australia’s Sky News about the ongoing conflict with Iran, which President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched on February 28. The war has caused stocks to fall and oil prices to rise, particularly after Iran began attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of all global oil exports pass.
While Frost was setting up his next question, an aide stepped in off-camera and said, “Sorry, the president wants you right away.” Bessent calmly said “Ok” and left. Frost acknowledged the departure, saying, “See you shortly, Mr. Secretary.”
Bessent returned from the Situation Room saying the mission is proceeding well ahead of schedule
Bessent came back, and by 12:07 PM, Frost asked him directly about the experience. “Mr. Secretary, I have to say it’s a first – and I’m sure a last as well – that an interviewee’s been pulled away to go to the Situation Room,” Frost said, before asking, “How is the president? Was he stressed?”
Bessent replied, “Uh, no, the, the, the president is in great spirits,” and added that “the Iranian mission is proceeding well ahead of schedule.” He also said, “You know, I have to tell you, Wil, that I’ve a teenage– teenager who’s considering military service. And I could give this team my highest compliment from President Trump to the head of the Joint Chiefs, to the Secretary of War. I would– they [unintelligible] that I would trust my child’s life in their hands.”
The conflict has been deadly. Over 1,300 Iranians have reportedly been killed, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior officials. Iran has responded with attacks on Israel and U.S. military bases across the region, and has effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also directly addressed ship captains navigating the waterway, and you can read about how Trump urged ships to show courage in the Strait of Hormuz and what followed. Seven U.S. service members have also been killed so far, with many more wounded.
Since the war began on February 28, at least 16 tankers and cargo ships have been struck, most within the Strait of Hormuz, though vessels in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman have also been hit.
The situation remains highly volatile, and Bessent’s sudden mid-interview exit underscored just how quickly events on the ground are moving. Separately, on the political front, there have been notable shake-ups inside the Trump administration, including Lewandowski’s reported pardon promises before being removed alongside Kristi Noem.
Published: Mar 13, 2026 02:18 pm