Washington: The United States has unveiled a reward of up to $10 million (approximately Rs 92.4 crore) for information that could help identify the whereabouts or activities of Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, along with several other senior officials associated with the country’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The announcement was made on Friday through the US State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” initiative, which operates under the Diplomatic Security Service. The programme offers financial incentives for credible intelligence that helps counter individuals accused by Washington of involvement in global terrorism or militant operations.
In its statement, the department alleged that the individuals listed in the reward notice are involved in directing IRGC-linked networks that have allegedly organised and carried out operations beyond Iran’s borders. Authorities said people possessing relevant information could submit tips through secure channels, including a Tor-enabled online portal or encrypted messaging service Signal. Those who provide credible leads may qualify for monetary compensation and, in certain cases, relocation assistance for safety.
The list of individuals highlighted in the reward announcement includes Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Asghar Hejazi — who serves as deputy chief of staff in the Supreme Leader’s office — and Iranian security figure Ali Larijani. For some of the names, only silhouette images were released as photographs were not available.
The move comes during a period of heightened hostilities between Iran and the US-Israel alliance. The confrontation, now entering its third week, began after a wave of strikes on February 28 that reportedly killed Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, setting off a broader regional conflict.
US President Donald Trump, speaking in an interview with Fox News Radio, said the American military campaign against Iranian targets would intensify in the coming days. He suggested that the expanded operations could severely impact Iran’s command structure.
Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said American and Israeli forces have already carried out more than 15,000 strikes since the beginning of the offensive — averaging over a thousand attacks each day. According to him, the operations have significantly weakened Iran’s ability to launch counter-attacks, with missile launches reportedly falling by around 90 per cent and drone activity dropping by roughly 95 per cent.
The ongoing conflict has also rattled global energy markets. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have effectively blocked traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most vital oil transit routes that normally handles nearly a fifth of global crude shipments. The disruption has pushed international oil prices beyond the $100-per-barrel mark, fuelling concerns about a prolonged shock to global energy supplies.
