The U.S. State Department Friday announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the location and apprehension of Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader of Iran, and nine other senior Iranian military officials. The offer, made through the Rewards for Justice program, aims to gather intelligence on individuals linked to terrorism and destabilizing activities.
The Rewards for Justice program, established to combat terrorism, offers financial incentives for information that helps identify or bring to justice individuals suspected of involvement in acts against the United States. Individuals providing credible intelligence may as well be eligible for relocation assistance, according to a post on the program’s social media account. “Got information on these Iranian terrorist leaders? Send us a tip. It could make you eligible for a reward and relocation,” the post stated.
Beyond Mojtaba Khamenei, the reward offer extends to several other high-ranking Iranian officials, including members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The State Department designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization in 2019, citing its role in planning and executing terrorist acts globally. Rewards for Justice stated the IRGC “wields control over vast segments of Iran’s economy and is influential in Iranian domestic politics.”
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Recent U.S. Military actions included strikes on Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub in the Persian Gulf. U.S. Officials stated these strikes targeted military installations and did not damage oil infrastructure, though concerns remain about potential disruptions to global crude supplies.
Simultaneously, Israel has conducted strikes in Beirut, claiming responsibility for the deaths of senior members of Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. These attacks represent a significant escalation of hostilities across the region. Coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian military facilities initiated a series of retaliatory missile and drone attacks beginning February 28, now entering its second week.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated Friday that Mojtaba Khamenei was “wounded and likely disfigured” following recent U.S. Strikes targeting Iranian leadership. Hegseth also claimed that U.S. And Israeli forces have targeted over 15,000 Iranian targets since the start of the conflict, predicting the “destruction” of Iran’s defense companies. He further asserted that “Iran has no air defenses, Iran has no air force, Iran has no navy.”
Former President Trump has publicly stated that Iran’s government is “about to surrender” as the conflict intensifies. Trump reportedly made these remarks during a virtual meeting with world leaders, following the completion of Operation “Epic Fury,” a large-scale military campaign targeting Iranian positions. He described the operation as having removed “a cancer that was threatening us all” and issued harsh criticism of Iranian leadership, referring to them as “deranged scumbags.” Trump indicated Washington is acting to “destroy the terrorist regime of Iran” through military means.
