US Offers $10 Million Bounty on Iran's New Supreme Leader, IRGC Leaders
The US State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information on Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and other top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leaders. Washington accuses these officials of planning, organizing, and executing terror operations globally, amidst escalating US-Iran-Israel tensions.
Key Highlights
- US offers $10M reward for Mojtaba Khamenei and IRGC leaders.
- Bounty targets Iranian officials for alleged global terror activities.
- Mojtaba Khamenei recently became Iran's new Supreme Leader.
- Move intensifies US pressure amid heightened Middle East conflict.
- Rewards for Justice program seeks information on key Iranian figures.
- IRGC designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US since 2019.
The United States Department of State, through its Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, has announced a substantial reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and several other senior officials linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This significant development comes amidst a period of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, following recent conflicts in the Middle East.
The US government explicitly states that the targeted individuals "command and direct various elements of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which plans, organizes, and executes terrorism around the world." The IRGC, a prominent part of Iran's official military, has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US since April 2019, with the Treasury Department also designating it and its elite Quds Force as Specially Designated Global Terrorists. This designation means that all IRGC property and interests subject to US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with the organization, making it a crime to knowingly provide material support or resources to the IRGC.
The list of targeted Iranian officials includes Mojtaba Khamenei, who recently assumed the position of Iran's Supreme Leader on March 8, 2026, following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in late February 2026. Other prominent figures named in the Rewards for Justice announcement include Ali Asghar Hejazi, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Supreme Leader's office; Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, a senior military adviser to the Supreme Leader; Ali Larijani, an advisor to the Supreme Leader and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council; Eskandar Momeni, the Interior Minister; and Esmail Khatib, the Intelligence Minister. The bounty also extends to information on individuals holding crucial, albeit unnamed, positions such as the Secretary of the Supreme Defense Council, the head of the Supreme Leader's military office, and the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Mojtaba Khamenei's elevation to Supreme Leader and the subsequent US bounty have added another layer of complexity to the already volatile US-Iran relationship. He was previously sanctioned by the US Treasury Department in 2019 under Executive Order 13876, which targeted the Supreme Leader's Office and individuals associated with it. At the time, the US cited his role in managing political affairs for his father and representing the Supreme Leader in an official capacity despite not holding a formal government post.
The announcement from the Rewards for Justice program emphasizes the US government's commitment to countering what it perceives as Iran's state-sponsored terrorism. The program urges individuals with credible information about these figures or their affiliated networks to come forward, offering potential relocation assistance in addition to the monetary reward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through encrypted messaging platforms or a Tor-based communication channel.
This move by the US State Department is seen as a significant escalation in pressure against Iran's leadership and its security apparatus. It underscores Washington's assertion that the IRGC plays a central role in Iran's foreign policy and its alleged use of terrorism as a statecraft tool, with accusations of being responsible for numerous attacks targeting Americans and US facilities, including those resulting in fatalities of US citizens. The timing of the bounty coincides with heightened regional hostilities, including coordinated US-Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military installations and retaliatory actions from Iran, further exacerbating the already tense geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.
The news has been widely reported by major international and Indian news outlets, indicating its global significance and particular relevance to an Indian audience given India's strategic interests and energy concerns in the Middle East. The situation continues to evolve, with global implications for international security, trade, and energy markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the US Rewards for Justice program?
The Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program is a counterterrorism rewards program run by the United States Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service. It offers monetary rewards for information that prevents international terrorism, brings terrorists to justice, or identifies key figures involved in hostile activities against US interests.
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei?
Mojtaba Khamenei is the son of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He was recently appointed as Iran's new Supreme Leader on March 8, 2026, following his father's death. He has been involved in Iranian political and religious circles for years and was previously sanctioned by the US in 2019.
Why has the US placed a bounty on these Iranian officials?
The US has placed a bounty on Mojtaba Khamenei and other IRGC leaders, accusing them of commanding and directing elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that 'plan, organize, and execute terrorism around the world.' This action is part of broader US efforts to counter what it views as Iran's state-sponsored terrorism and its destabilizing activities.
What is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)?
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a major branch of Iran's armed forces. It was founded after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and has significant influence in Iran's domestic politics, economy, and foreign policy. The US designated the IRGC as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2019.
What are the implications of this bounty?
The bounty signifies a further escalation of tensions between the US and Iran. It aims to gather intelligence on key Iranian figures and disrupt alleged terror networks, potentially leading to increased international pressure on Iran and further instability in the Middle East. It also highlights the US's continued hardline stance against the Iranian leadership.
