The U.S. Department of State is offering up to $10 million [1] for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Iranian leaders.
This move signals an escalation in diplomatic and security pressure against Tehran. By targeting the highest levels of the Iranian government and military, the U.S. aims to disrupt operations that threaten international security.
The reward, announced on June 13, 2024 [2], is managed through the Rewards for Justice program. The U.S. government is specifically seeking information on senior leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the newly appointed supreme leader of Iran [2].
Officials said the reward is intended to deter malign activities conducted by the Iranian state. These activities include alleged plots against U.S. interests, and aggressive behavior within the region [1]. The program targets the identification, arrest, or conviction of these designated officials to limit their ability to coordinate such operations.
The IRGC is a powerful military branch of the Iranian armed forces that reports directly to the supreme leader. The U.S. has long viewed the organization as a primary driver of instability in the Middle East—a view that underpins the current monetary incentive.
While some reports describe the reward as a flat $10 million [2], other sources specify the amount is up to $10 million [1]. The State Department said the program is a critical tool for gathering intelligence on high-value targets who operate with significant secrecy.
“The U.S. Department of State is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Iranian leaders.”
The use of the Rewards for Justice program indicates that the U.S. is shifting from broad economic sanctions toward targeted intelligence gathering on individual leadership. By placing a bounty on the new supreme leader and IRGC commanders, the U.S. is attempting to create internal pressure and incentivize defections or leaks within the Iranian power structure during a period of leadership transition.
