‘RIGHT AWAY’: Trump Official Pulled From Live Interview For ‘Urgent Talks’ In Situation Room

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was yanked out of a live interview Thursday after President Donald Trump ordered him to the White House Situation Room as the administration wrestles with the financial ripple effects of the Iran war.

Bessent, 63, was speaking with Sky News’ Wilfred Frost on The Master Investor Podcast inside the Treasury Department’s Cash Room when an aide abruptly cut in about 13 minutes into the conversation.

“The president wants you right away,” the aide told Bessent from off-camera, according to a clip shared on X by the outlet.

Sky News said Bessent walked out at about 10:22 a.m. as a microphone was removed from his jacket. He returned nearly two hours later.

Asked what the emergency meeting was about, Bessent said he discussed “a plethora of things” with Trump.

Frost pressed him on the president’s mood amid the escalating conflict.

“The president is in great spirits, the Iranian mission is proceeding well ahead of schedule,” Bessent said, before adding a personal note about his family as the war dominates headlines.

“I can give this team my highest compliment from President Trump, to the head of the Joint Chiefs, to the secretary of war. I would trust my child’s life in their hands,” he said, explaining his teenager is considering military service.

The interview shifted back to markets and the war’s impact. Frost pointed to the dollar’s surge even as other indicators have wobbled during the conflict that began Feb. 28, when the U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury alongside Israel in strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

A major pressure point remains the Strait of Hormuz, the critical Persian Gulf shipping lane Iran has threatened to squeeze as a “tool to pressure the enemy.” Bessent said the U.S. could move quickly to protect maritime traffic once the threat is reduced.

“My belief is that as soon as it is militarily possible, the US Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through,” he said.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was abruptly pulled from a live interview after being told “the President wants you right away.”

After returning, his voice was noticeably shaken. pic.twitter.com/jx5CamFi03

— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 13, 2026

Officials have also been watching for signs Iran could try to mine the strait. Bessent told Frost there is no evidence that has happened.

“There are, in fact, tankers coming through now, Iranian tankers, I believe some Chinese-flag tankers have come through. So we know that they have not mined the straits,” he said.

RELATED: Iran Strikes Tanker Owned By US-Based Company In Persian Gulf

Frost asked whether naval escorts were part of the Situation Room discussion. Bessent declined to take the bait.

“Your words, not mine,” he said.

Bessent also said the operation has cost the U.S. about $11 billion, according to Sky News, arguing the administration views the mission as worth the price.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright separately confirmed escort plans are being discussed, but cautioned the timing depends on military conditions.

“It’ll happen relatively soon, but it can’t happen now,” Wright told CNBC.

“We’re simply not ready. All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities and the manufacturing industry that supplies their offensive capabilities,” Wright said.

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