Bessent: We Are ‘Jiu-Jitsuing the Iranians’ By Using Their Own Oil Against Them

Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration was “jiu-jitsuing the Iranians” by “using their own oil against them.”

Partial transcript as follows:

KRISTEN WELKER: Let me talk about your announcement this past week. On Friday, the Treasury Department lifted sanctions on Iranian oil stored on tankers, a move that would effectively allow Iran to get more than $14 billion of oil revenue.Why is the U.S. helping to fund a country that it’s currently at war with, Mr. Secretary?

BESSENT: Again, Kristen, why don’t we have good facts here? That Iranian oil was always going to be sold to the Chinese. It was going to be sold at a discount. So, which, which is better, Kristen? Which is better? If oil prices spike to $150 and they were getting 70% of that? Or oil prices below $100? It’s better to have them where they