The US Department of State on Friday announced a reward of up to $10m for information on several Iranian officials, including the country’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei.
The offer was made under the US Department of State Rewards for Justice Program, which stated that it was seeking information about individuals it described as “Iranian terrorist leaders.”
This was announced in a poster released by the program on X.
“These individuals command and direct various elements of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which plans, organizes, and executes terrorism around the world,” the poster read.
Those listed include Esmail Khatib, Iran’s minister of intelligence; Ali Asghar Hejazi, deputy chief of staff to the supreme leader; Yahya Rahim Safavi, a senior military adviser; and Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s interior minister.
Others mentioned include Ali Larijani, who currently serves as secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council.
The banner also mentioned several other positions without naming any specific individuals, including the secretary of the Supreme Defense Council, the head of the supreme leader’s military office, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader.
Individuals with knowledge about officials or senior IRGC commanders and their networks can send tips using encrypted messaging platforms or a communication route on the Tor network, according to the initiative.
It further stated that anyone who submits credible information may be eligible for a prize of up to $10 million and probable relocation.
The announcement comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran following the recent leadership shift in Tehran.
Mojtaba Khamenei was named Iran’s new supreme leader on March 8, following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was slain during the early phases of Iran’s confrontation with a US-Israeli coalition.
The 56-year-old priest was chosen by Iran’s powerful clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, which is in charge of determining the country’s supreme leader.
Following his nomination, Iran’s powerful military organization, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, swore its support to him as the country faced rising armed conflict with the United States and Israel.
In his first remark since taking office, Khamenei declared that Iran will continue to retaliate against its enemies and warned that the struggle would last until what he termed as “justice for Iranian casualties” was achieved.
