Iran’s nuclear programme: US offers US$20 million reward for information

Washington is offering a US$20 million reward “and possible relocation” for information about Iran’s nuclear programme, the US military has said, as President Donald Trump reiterated that Tehran wants to make a deal to end the war.

A State Department programme, Rewards for Justice, “is offering a reward of up to US$20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear programme, including its facilities, equipment and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community,” US Central Command said on social media on Friday.

The programme was established in 1984 under the State Department’s national security rewards programme to offer money for information that protects American lives and interests.

In its statement about the reward, the State Department said Iran’s lack of compliance with the International Atomic Energy Agency on safeguards obligations had led to the agency’s loss of “continuity of knowledge” regarding Iran’s production and inventory of key components like centrifuges.

It gave no specific parameters on what information would yield a US$20 million reward.

Trump has repeatedly said US forces have effectively obliterated Iran’s nuclear programme.

“If we didn’t hit Iran, you wouldn’t have Israel today,” Trump said on Friday night in West Palm Beach, Florida. “If they had nuclear, they would have used nuclear. They would have obliterated the Middle East.”

But the president also said Iran – which he stressed has had its economy and military severely damaged over eight months of war – is eager to end the conflict.

“We’re dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly,” he said.

Diplomatic efforts by mediators have been in full swing in an attempt to prevent any resumption of fighting.

On Tuesday, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said his government was still trying to resolve the crisis through dialogue.

Earlier this week Trump said he still had to “take care” of one or two targets, including so-called Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran, a suspected nuclear site which Tehran denies is such a facility.