U.S. Treasury Secretary: "Mission Accomplished Means Opening Hormuz, Securing HEU, and Preventing Nuclear Armament"

Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, reaffirmed on May 31 (local time) that the United States' core objectives in ceasefire talks with Iran are the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, securing highly enriched uranium (HEU), and prohibiting Iran from possessing nuclear weapons.

In an interview with Fox News that day, Secretary Bessent stated, "'Finishing the job' means ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open, that we secure highly enriched uranium, and that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons."

Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. 2026.05.13. Photo by Dongju Yoon

This is seen as a reiteration of the Trump administration's negotiation principles, as there are observations that U.S. President Donald Trump is demanding further concessions before giving final approval to the draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending hostilities with Iran.

Secretary Bessent said, "It is the first time in 47 years that there has even been an attempt to discuss Iran not possessing nuclear weapons," and argued, "This topic had long been taboo, but thanks to President Trump, it is now on the negotiating table for the first time."

He cited U.S. economic and military pressure as the main factors that brought Iran to the negotiating table.

Secretary Bessent said, "The economic blockade of funds and the physical blockade of ships entering and leaving Iranian ports have proven effective," adding that these were "key factors that brought Iran to the negotiations."

He further emphasized that Iran's attack on Gulf region countries at the start of the war was "a major mistake," noting, "In the past, U.S. allies in the Gulf region were passive about blocking Iranian funds, but now they have become very cooperative, including freezing the Iranian regime's accounts."

Regarding the recent rise in energy prices and concerns about inflation, Secretary Bessent stated that these are temporary phenomena. He said, "Current price increases are due to supply shocks and rising energy prices," and described them as "very transitory."

He added, "We are well aware that the current situation is unstable and causing discomfort for people," but emphasized, "We will overcome this situation, and the supply in the oil market will become very sufficient."

Meanwhile, Secretary Bessent also mentioned the Trump administration's direction for restructuring tariff policy.

He said, "Jamieson Greer, head of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), is conducting an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act," and explained, "If the investigation is successfully completed, the Section 301 tariffs will be readjusted to reflect the levels stipulated in trade agreements with each country."

Currently, since the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in February invalidating reciprocal tariffs, the United States has been imposing a 10% global tariff on all trading partners based on Section 122 of the Trade Act.

Because tariffs under Section 122 can be maintained for a maximum of 150 days, there is a possibility that a differentiated tariff system by country will be introduced before the end of July, based on the results of the Section 301 investigation.

Secretary Bessent also addressed the plan to issue a $250 bill featuring President Trump's portrait, stating, "The relevant bill is pending in the House of Representatives, and if the bill passes, the bill will be issued."

He said, "President Trump is the sitting president during the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States," and added, "It will be an excellent bill commemorating a great president."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.