The United States has announced a reward of up to $20 million, along with possible relocation, for information about Iran’s nuclear programme.
According to a post on X by US Central Command on Friday, the reward is being offered under the State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme. It targets information about Iranian nuclear facilities, equipment and individuals associated with the programme, including members of the scientific community, reports AFP.
The announcement came as US President Donald Trump reiterated that Tehran was keen to negotiate a deal to end the conflict.
Established in 1984, the Rewards for Justice programme is part of the State Department’s national security rewards initiative, which offers financial incentives for information that protects American lives and interests.
In its statement, the State Department said Iran’s “lack of compliance with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) on safeguards obligations” had caused the agency to lose “continuity of knowledge” about the production and stockpiles of key nuclear components, including centrifuges.
However, the department did not specify what information would qualify for the full $20 million reward.
President Trump has repeatedly claimed that US forces have effectively destroyed Iran’s nuclear programme.
Speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday night, Trump said, “If we didn’t hit Iran, you wouldn’t have Israel today.”
He added, “If they had nuclear, they would have used nuclear. They would have obliterated the Middle East.”
Despite the strikes, Trump said Iran remained eager to end the conflict after its economy and military suffered severe damage during eight months of war.
“We’re dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly,” he said.
Earlier in the week, Trump indicated that he still needed to “take care” of one or two remaining targets, particularly the so-called Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran. The location is suspected of housing a nuclear site, although Tehran denies that it is such a facility.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts by mediators are continuing to prevent a resumption of fighting.
On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government was continuing efforts to resolve the crisis through dialogue.
