Meet the Press March 22 — Sec. Scott Bessent, Sen. Chris Murphy and Cuban Deputy FM de Cossío
Mar 22, 2026
Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuba's deputy foreign minister, defends Cuban sovereignty amid U.S. threats. Sen. Chris Murphy, Connecticut senator, criticizes Iran policy and opposes new war funding. Scott Bessent, treasury secretary, explains sanctions, oil policy, and funding choices. They debate escalation risks, sanctions on oil, and the domestic cost of conflict in short, focused conversations.
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Escalate To De escalate Framing Of Iran Strategy
- The administration frames escalation as a path to de-escalation in the Iran conflict.
- Scott Bessent argued destroying Iranian military and command capabilities could force a quicker end while keeping options open.
Unsanctioning Afloat Iranian Oil To Curb Price Spikes
- Treasury loosened sanctions on Iranian oil afloat to limit price spikes and increase U.S. visibility into transactions.
- Bessent said the move prevents crude from going into opaque Chinese channels and keeps global prices lower.
Sanctions Easing Seen As Limiting Enemy Windfall
- Bessent argued easing Russian and Iranian oil sanctions reduces the maximum revenue adversaries might gain by preventing a runaway oil price.
- He estimated Russia's maximum extra take would be about $2 billion, framing it as limited damage.