'Bit of pain' worth long-term security from Iran, Bessent tells BBC

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has told the BBC a "small bit of economic pain" is worthwhile for long-term international security. As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned the US-Israel war with Iran could plunge the global economy into recession, Bessent said the conflict was to eliminate the threat of Iranian nuclear strikes on Wester...

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has told the BBC a "small bit of economic pain" is worthwhile for long-term international security.

As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned the US-Israel war with Iran could plunge the global economy into recession, Bessent said the conflict was to eliminate the threat of Iranian nuclear strikes on Western capitals.

"I wonder what the hit to global GDP would be if a nuclear weapon hit London... I am saying that I am less concerned about short-term forecasts, for long-term security," he said.

At the start of the war, Iran had uranium enriched to 60%, according to senior US officials. It does not have nuclear weapons.