The United States military announced on Friday that the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to US$20 million and possible relocation for information regarding Iran’s nuclear programme. The offer covers details on facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, specifically mentioning those in the scientific community. The program, which was established in 1984 to provide financial incentives for information protecting American lives and interests, is also seeking information regarding the movement of these assets.
The State Department stated that the reward is prompted by Iran’s failure to comply with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards obligations. This non-compliance has resulted in the agency losing "continuity of knowledge" concerning the production and inventory of key components such as centrifuges. According to the department's notice, the IAEA reported in 2025 that Iran was enriching uranium to 60% purity. The notice noted that this level is technically close to the 90% purity generally associated with weapons-grade uranium, and that Iran is the only state without nuclear weapons to have produced uranium at such a high level. Experts estimated the quantity could be sufficient for several nuclear weapons if enriched further.
The US government did not provide specific parameters on what information would qualify for the maximum US$20 million reward.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that US forces have effectively obliterated Iran’s nuclear programme. Speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday night, Trump stated, "If we didn’t hit Iran, you wouldn’t have Israel today. If they had nuclear, they would have used nuclear. They would have obliterated the Middle East."
Despite these claims of destruction, Trump noted that Iran’s economy and military have been severely damaged over eight months of war and suggested Tehran is eager to end the conflict. "We’re dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly," Trump said.
Diplomatic efforts by mediators are currently underway to prevent a resumption of fighting. On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated his government is still attempting to resolve the crisis through dialogue. Earlier this week, Trump mentioned that Washington still needs to "take care" of one or two targets, including Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran. While suspected of being a nuclear site, Tehran denies that the location is such a facility.
