US announces reward of up to $20 million for information on Iran's nuclear program

Reward announcement

The United States has announced a reward of up to $20 million for information about Iran's nuclear program. The announcement was reported on Friday, November 7, by US Central Command (CENTCOM) in a Rewards for Justice program post on the social network X, Anadolu reports. According to Gazeta.Ru, the message was posted on the program's page; media outlets differ on which body — the military command or the State Department — served as the public face of the announcement, although the program itself belongs to the State Department.

What exactly is being sought and how to submit information

The reward is offered for information about facilities, equipment, and personnel connected to the program, including members of the scientific community, as well as about their movements. Gazeta.Ru specifies that this also concerns Iranian nuclear scientists, technologies, the industry's capabilities, and involved organizations. Information can be submitted via the Signal messenger or the secure Tor network; in addition to the payment, the informant is promised 'possible relocation' — assistance with moving to the United States. 'If you have information about Iran's nuclear program, its assets, or related individuals, send it to us,' the outlet quotes the program's message as saying.

Washington's arguments and Tehran's position

In a statement by the State Department, which Zamon.uz cites, it is said that in 2025 the IAEA recorded Iran enriching uranium to 60% — below the roughly 90% level needed for nuclear weapons. According to the department, Iran is the only country without nuclear weapons that enriches uranium to such a level, and experts have pointed out that if enrichment continues, the existing quantity could be enough for several nuclear weapons. Washington also links Tehran's failure to comply with safeguards obligations to the IAEA's loss of 'continuity of knowledge' about the production and stockpiles of key components, including centrifuges. Iran, according to the same outlet, has repeatedly stated that it does not seek nuclear weapons and reaffirms its commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty; the United States, meanwhile, accuses it of violating international obligations.

Context: war, elections, and a new task force

The announcement came against the backdrop of an ongoing, according to the BBC, eight-month conflict that began in late February after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. On Friday, Trump said at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida that Iran would 'never get' nuclear weapons, and earlier he described the strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities as having 'completely destroyed' them. The BBC notes that both Trump and Vice President JD Vance linked the Republican Party's losses in this week's midterm elections to public dissatisfaction with the war, which gave rise to speculation that the White House may no longer seek escalation; Trump himself said on Friday that Iran 'very much wants' to make a deal. Qatar, as a mediator, reported, citing its representative, that the parties are 'considering ideas and proposals.' In parallel, CENTCOM announced the creation of a task force, Task Force Iron Gate in Tampa, Florida, to restrict Iran's movement of weapons, sanctioned, and dual-use goods; according to the command's assessment, the naval blockade of Iranian ports has prevented the country from exporting crude oil worth more than $25 billion.