According to the latest announcement made by the US government, a high-profile cash reward of up to $20 million is being offered to anyone with valid details about the Iranian nuclear program. The announcement was first made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on X platform, posting a link to the Rewards for Justice program operated by the State Department. The reward is focused on collecting pertinent data related to nuclear sites and facilities, centrifuges, unique pieces of machinery, and important scientists involved in Iranian nuclear activities.
IAEA’s failure to maintain safeguards encourages information gathering
The fresh intelligence initiative comes amid global concerns about Iran’s urgency to develop the nuclear program and its resistance to international inspections.
Enrichment progress report: IAEA reports that Iran has managed to enrich uranium up to around 60%, way beyond production levels required for commercial purposes and approaching weapons-grade levels (90%).
Current fissile inventory: Analysts believe that the stockpile of fissile material at Iran’s disposal is sufficient to build numerous nuclear weapons.
Loss of continuity: The US State Department has reported a significant loss of IAEA’s “continuity of knowledge” about Iran’s manufacturing and inventory of centrifuge systems caused by non-compliance with the IAEA’s safeguards.
Whistleblower relocation for essential scientists
By providing high-value incentives and guaranteed relocation, the program particularly targets scientists and engineers and personnel working in Iran’s defence industry.
This kind of incentive system is reminiscent of previous US measures against weapons’ proliferation.
2019 procurement crackdown: $15 million were offered for information leading to the activities of the IRGC’s shadow banking, illicit oil sales, and sanctions violations.
2024 plot bounty: A $20 million bounty was offered for information about an alleged plot by the IRGC operative Shahram Poursafi against the former US National Security Adviser John Bolton.
Bounty announced after military operation Midnight Hammer
The announcement made by the US government is coming in the wake of disputes about Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Following Operation Midnight Hammer—which struck deep facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—the administration claimed the target sites were severely neutralised.
However, preliminary intelligence evaluations and IAEA tracking confirmed that while physical infrastructure sustained heavy damage, key enriched uranium stockpiles and mobile centrifuges remained unlocated, necessitating direct human intelligence.
