In an oversight update released through the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, Ranking Member Ron Wyden published a new letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pressing for answers on whether the Treasury Department analyzed or planned for the economic consequences of the war with Iran before February 28, 2026. Wyden said earlier staff discussions with senior adviser and Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy nominee Sriprakash Kothari indicated he was unaware of any such Treasury work, and argued that Bessent’s April 13 response did not contradict that account. The renewed questions ask Treasury to confirm whether Kothari conducted any pre-war economic analysis and whether anyone else in the department did, describe any work on the likely effects on global energy markets, identify which Treasury offices were involved and whether there was interagency coordination, and explain why no preparations were undertaken if that was the case. Wyden also asked whether it is standard for senior Treasury officials to perform independent economic analysis outside formal departmental direction, requested Treasury’s current assessment of oil prices and their effect on U.S. GDP, and sought details on whether Treasury considered waiving sanctions on Russian oil before the conflict. The letter requests a response by May 5, 2026.
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance 2026-04-28
U.S. Senate Committee on Finance ranking member renews Treasury inquiry over Iran war economic planning and seeks May 5 reply
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s Ranking Member Ron Wyden sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pressing for details on whether the U.S. Department of the Treasury conducted any economic analysis or planning related to the war with Iran prior to February 28, 2026. Wyden seeks clarification on pre-war work on global energy market impacts, internal and interagency coordination, Treasury’s current assessment of oil prices and U.S. GDP effects, and whether waiving sanctions on Russian oil was considered.