U.S. offers $20 million reward for Iran's nuclear program information

The United States announced on Friday that its State Department Rewards for Justice program will pay up to $20 million for information that leads to the identification of Iran’s nuclear facilities, equipment or personnel, and may also arrange safe relocation for the informant. The offer comes as Washington steps up pressure on Tehran over a programme it says is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon.

The reward follows a surge in U.S. actions against Iran’s nuclear and missile activities. President Donald Trump last year claimed a joint U.S.–Israeli bombing campaign had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear sites, a statement Iran rejects, insisting its programme is peaceful. At the same time, the U.S. military’s Central Command has created Task Force Iron Gate, based in Tampa, Florida, to tighten restrictions on the movement of weapons, dual‑use technology and sanctioned funds across Iran’s borders. Centcom says its naval blockade of Iranian ports has already stopped more than $25 billion in crude oil from reaching foreign buyers.

The Rewards for Justice notice says the money is for any details that help expose Iran’s lack of compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has lost “continuity of knowledge” about the country’s inventory of key components such as centrifuges. Those machines can enrich uranium for civilian power or, if pushed to 90 percent purity, for nuclear weapons. In parallel, Trump has hinted at a possible strike on an underground site known as “Pickaxe Mountain,” but after the recent midterm elections he told reporters he is “no rush” to act. Both he and Vice‑President JD Vance noted that public opposition to a war with Iran hurt Republican candidates, suggesting a shift away from immediate escalation.

Washington says the reward and the new task force are part of a broader effort to force Tehran back to the negotiating table. Qatar’s foreign ministry said both sides are reviewing proposals it has presented, raising hopes for diplomatic talks. If the U.S. can secure credible intelligence, it could tighten sanctions further or pave the way for a new agreement, but the move also risks inflaming an already volatile region.