Bessant: Sometimes, in order to de-escalate the situation, it is necessary to escalate the operation.

PANews reported on March 22 that, according to Jinshi News, US Treasury Secretary Bessenter defended the US and Israeli attacks on Iranian infrastructure, claiming that "sometimes you have to escalate to de-escalate the situation." This comes shortly after Trump gave Iran 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz and threatened to destroy its power plants. Bessenter defended Trump's remarks, saying it was "the only language Iranians understand." Bessenter also discussed Kharg Island, a key hub for Iranian oil production, claiming that "all options are being considered," including sending US troops to control the island. Bessenter further defended the decision to ease certain sanctions on Iran, claiming that this was a form of "soft power" against the Iranians—using their own oil to retaliate against them.