The US has offered a reward of up to $20 million and relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear programme. Intelligence on Iranian nuclear facilities, equipment, scientific personnel and organisations involved in the programme is included.
The announcement was made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Friday, November 6 in a post on X. The programme is being carried out through US State Department’s Rewards for Justice initiative.
The move comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran remain high and diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent a further escalation of the conflict.
US Seeks Information On Iran's Nuclear Facilities And Scientists
The announcement said the United States was seeking information on various aspects of Iran’s nuclear programme including:
The statement also said that the U.S. wants information about “various aspects” of Iran’s nuclear programme, including:
- Nuclear facilities and infrastructure.
- Equipment and technologies related to nuclear activities.
- Scientists and other staff associated with the programme.
- Organisations involved in nuclear activities.
- Movement of relevant equipment and personnel.
The US government has said it will pay up to $20 million for information that meets the programme’s criteria and said possible relocation assistance might be available to sources.
However officials haven’t spelled out exactly what criteria must be met to receive the maximum reward.
What Is The Rewards For Justice Programme?
Rewards for Justice is a US State Department programme launched in 1984 as part of the country’s national security rewards scheme.
It pays people who give information that protects American citizens and national security interests.
Over the years, it has been used to gather intelligence on terrorism, threats against US interests, cyber activities and other national security issues.
The latest announcement broadens the programme’s focus to information on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Why is the US seeking information about Iran’s nuclear programme?
The US announcement comes at a time when international monitoring of Iran’s nuclear activities is being questioned.
In its statement, the State Department referred to Iran’s alleged noncompliance with safeguards obligations to the IAEA.
“That’s what has prevented the agency from continuing to know about Iran’s production and inventory of key nuclear-related components (centrifuges),” said the department.
Centrifuges are machines used to enrich uranium (which can be used for civilian nuclear power but also for making material suitable for nuclear weapons).
The IAEA has previously expressed concerns about Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and whether the agency could monitor some aspects of its nuclear programme.
Iran has repeatedly stated that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
Donald Trump Says Iran Wants To Reach A Deal
The reward announcement comes as US President Donald Trump has been making statements about the state of Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities.
Speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida on Friday evening, Trump said American military operations had “destroyed the nuclear program and military infrastructure” of Iran.
He also said Tehran was interested in an agreement with Washington to end the war.
“We’re dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly,” Trump said.
The US President has argued repeatedly that military action was necessary to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
But diplomatic talks with regional mediators have continued in an effort to prevent another escalation.
Iran Nuclear Talks: Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Diplomatic efforts have intensified as regional mediators try to bring Washington and Tehran closer together.
Qatar has reportedly been involved in proposals that seek to resolve differences between the two countries (Iran’s nuclear activities and conditions for ending hostilities).
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also said his government is still looking for diplomatic ways to solve the crisis.
But big differences remain over nuclear inspections, sanctions, military operations and conditions for a ceasefire.
The latest US reward announcement adds another dimension to Washington’s hunt for intelligence about Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as diplomacy continues.
What Is Pickaxe Mountain And Why Is It Important?
Another location discussed recently in connection with Iran’s nuclear programme is Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran.
Trump used the location recently when talking about potential targets that could be further investigated.
The site is thought by some observers to be part of underground infrastructure near Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex; Tehran denies it is a nuclear facility.
The location has been chosen because underground installations are harder to monitor and assess using conventional surveillance techniques.
The latest developments suggest that Iran’s nuclear programme is still at the centre of the current tensions between Washington and Tehran.
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