US offers $20m reward for information on Iran’s nuclear programme
The United States has announced a reward of up to $20 million for information relating to Iran’s nuclear programme, with the State Department also offering potential relocation for anyone who provides useful intelligence.
President Donald Trump claimed last year that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “completely and totally obliterated” following military strikes carried out by the US and Israel.
However, Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes and denies having plans to develop nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, the US military has announced plans to establish a task force to strengthen efforts to restrict Iran’s movement of weapons and sanctioned materials across its borders.
The US Central Command (Centcom) said Task Force Iron Gate would operate from Tampa, Florida, in collaboration with other government agencies. Its operations would target weapons transfers, dual-use materials and illegal sources of revenue.
Centcom estimates that the US naval blockade of Iranian ports has prevented Tehran from exporting more than $25 billion worth of crude oil.
In a statement announcing the reward, the State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme said the $20 million offer covered information about Iran’s nuclear activities, including its facilities, equipment and personnel involved.
The department said Iran’s failure to meet its safeguards obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had resulted in the agency losing continuity of knowledge about the country’s production and stockpile of key nuclear components, including centrifuges.
Centrifuges are used to enrich uranium, which can serve as fuel for civilian nuclear reactors but can also be used in nuclear weapons if enriched to approximately 90 per cent purity or higher.
Speculation had been growing that Washington could launch further major military strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections. However, Trump told reporters before the polls that he was in “no rush” to take such action.
In an interview with Fox News on the eve of the elections, the president also suggested that the US could target Pickaxe Mountain, an underground facility linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump described a potential strike on the site as “not a big deal”, claiming it could be completed within an hour. He has repeatedly threatened to bomb the suspected underground facility.
However, Trump and Vice-President JD Vance have acknowledged that public opposition to the war with Iran contributed to significant Republican losses in the midterm elections, fuelling speculation that the White House may reconsider any plans to escalate the conflict.
On Friday, Trump maintained that Iran was eager to end the eight-month conflict, pointing to the damage inflicted on its economy and military.
“We’re dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly,” he said.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that both countries were reviewing proposals presented to them, expressing optimism that an agreement could be reached.
Iranian negotiators had reportedly discussed with mediators a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days, provided the US met seven conditions set by Tehran.
The two countries reached a preliminary understanding in June to end the war and reopen the strategic waterway. However, the arrangement collapsed within weeks after Iran resumed attacks on shipping, prompting Washington to reinstate its blockade.
Source: BBC
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