The US State Department's Rewards for Justice program has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on key leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who are believed to be responsible for planning and carrying out “terrorist operations around the world.”
The corresponding post was published on the program's page on the social network X.
It is noted that a “reward” can be received for information about the following persons:
- Mojtaba Khamenei, the newly elected Supreme Leader of Iran;
- Ali Asghar Hejazi — Head of the Supreme Leader's Administration;
- Ali Larijani — Advisor to the Minister of Interior of Iran;
- Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior military advisor to the supreme leader;
- Eskandar Momeni — Minister of Internal Affairs;
- Esmail Khatib — Minister of Intelligence and Security.
And also about the Secretary of the Defense Council, the Advisor to the Supreme Leader, the Head of the Military Department, and the Commander of the IRGC.
In addition to financial rewards, the State Department guarantees informants the opportunity to relocate to ensure their safety.
As a reminder, on March 8, Iran's Assembly of Experts elected the son of the murdered Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
On March 12, Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement since being elected by the Assembly of Experts. The statement was read out on Iranian state television. In particular, he said that the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil passes, should remain closed as a “tool of pressure.”
Military operation by Israel and the US against Iran
On February 28, Israel attacked the Iranian capital Tehran. Subsequently, US President Donald Trump announced that the US military had launched a “major combat operation” against Iran in order to “eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime”. He accused the Iranian authorities of “financing and training” militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Hamas in Palestine. According to him, the aim of the military operation is to “destroy Iran's missile industry and navy”, as well as “ensure that the world cannot be destabilized”.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched missiles and drones towards Israel, and also attacked US military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Amid the US military operation against Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris is calling for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
The European Union said it reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to ensuring regional security and stability” in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was fair to give the Iranians a chance to get rid of “the terrorist regime and guarantee the security of all peoples who have suffered from attacks from Iran.”
On March 1, the IRGC announced that it was launching “the most devastating offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and “American terrorist bases.” Trump called on the Iranian regime to abandon these plans and threatened to strike “a very strong blow” in response.
On March 2, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the next phase of the US military operation against Iran would be even more destructive.
On March 6, Trump declared the need for a complete change in Iran's leadership, adding that he already had several candidates for the role of “a good leader.”
On March 8, Iran's Assembly of Experts elected the son of the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the third supreme leader of the Islamic Republic.
Trump declined to comment on the election of Mojtaba Khamenei, saying only: “We'll see what happens.” Before that, the American president said that the new leader of Iran “won't last long” if he doesn't receive the approval of the White House.