Treasury Secretary Summoned to Situation Room Amid Iran War

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was abruptly summoned from a live interview on Thursday to join President Donald Trump in the White House Situation Room, amid escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict with Iran. The interruption occurred during a discussion with Sky News host Wilfred Frost in the Treasury Department's Cash Room, underscoring the rapid pace of developments in the war that began on February 28.

Bessent was about 13 minutes into the interview when an aide approached off-camera and informed him, "The president wants you right away." He calmly acknowledged the request, had his microphone removed, and left the studio at approximately 10:22 a.m. He returned nearly two hours later, at 12:07 p.m., to resume the conversation. Frost noted the unusual nature of the event, remarking, "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." He then asked about Trump's demeanor. Bessent replied, "No, the president is in great spirits," adding that the Iranian mission was "proceeding well ahead of schedule."

The summons came as the administration monitors the financial fallout from...