The Rewards for Justice offer covers information about facilities, equipment and people connected to Iran’s nuclear program. Washington has not publicly detailed what evidence would qualify for the maximum reward, as President Donald Trump makes conflicting-sounding claims about the program’s destruction and Tehran’s interest in a deal.
By A1NEWS International
WASHINGTON
The United States is offering up to $20 million, and possible relocation, for information about Iran’s nuclear program, according to a statement issued Friday by US Central Command.
The offer is being made through the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program. The department says it is seeking information about Iran’s nuclear facilities, equipment and associated personnel, including members of the scientific community.
The announcement comes amid continued diplomatic efforts to prevent a renewed escalation of the conflict. President Donald Trump said Friday that Washington was dealing with Tehran and that Iran wanted a deal, while also asserting that US strikes had severely damaged the country’s nuclear program.
Reward criteria remain undisclosed
The State Department did not specify what information would qualify for the maximum reward, how claims would be assessed or whether the offer applies to particular sites, equipment or individuals.
That lack of detail leaves open key questions about the program’s scope. The public statement identifies broad categories of information sought but does not explain how officials would distinguish actionable intelligence from information that is incomplete, outdated or already known to US authorities.
Rewards for Justice was established in 1984 as a State Department national security program that offers payments for information intended to protect American lives and interests.
IAEA safeguards cited as the basis for concern
In explaining the offer, the State Department cited Iran’s failure to comply with safeguards obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It said the agency had lost “continuity of knowledge” about Iran’s production and inventory of key components, including centrifuges.
The phrase points to a gap in the agency’s ability to maintain a clear record of certain nuclear-related materials and equipment. The statement did not provide further detail about the extent of that gap or identify which components are unaccounted for.
Trump’s claims and diplomatic signals
Trump has repeatedly said US forces effectively destroyed Iran’s nuclear program. Speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday night, he argued that Iran would have used a nuclear weapon if it had one and said US action had prevented a wider threat to the region.
At the same time, Trump said Iran was seeking an agreement to end the conflict. He described the country’s economy and military as severely damaged after what he characterized as eight months of war.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said earlier in the week that his government was still pursuing a resolution through dialogue. Mediators have also been working to prevent renewed fighting, according to the supplied account.
Unresolved questions over suspected site
Trump said earlier in the week that he still needed to “take care” of one or two targets, including Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran, which has been described as a suspected nuclear site. Tehran denies that the location is such a facility.
The public statements do not establish what further action, if any, Washington is considering at the site. Nor do they reconcile Trump’s claims that Iran’s nuclear program has been effectively obliterated with the administration’s appeal for new information about its facilities, equipment and personnel.
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