Iran Announces $30,000 Reward for Capture or Killing of US Soldiers

Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief Amir Hatami has announced a $30,000 bounty for anyone who captures or kills a US military service member, offering double the reward if carried out by a woman.

Iranian Army Chief of Staff Amir Hatami has announced that the Iranian military will pay a reward of $30,000 (equivalent to 5 billion Iranian tomans) to anyone who kills or captures an American military service member. Hatami stated that the reward would be doubled to $60,000 if the action is carried out by an Iranian woman.

According to reporting by the IRNA State News Agency, Hatami explained that the reward initiative was created following a high volume of public requests to support national defense operations.

Absence of US Ground Forces and Maritime Warnings

The announcement comes despite there being no official deployment of regular US ground forces inside Iranian territory. The only documented US military activity on Iranian soil involved an April rescue mission to retrieve American airmen following an aircraft crash.

During his address, Hatami warned the United States that American forces will no longer be permitted to operate in or enter the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, or the Strait of Hormuz.

He strongly criticized recent statements regarding control over the Strait of Hormuz, maintaining that Iranian forces remain fully equipped to defend the strategic waterway.

Dispute Over Missing Iranian Pilots in Qatar

The Iranian military chief also addressed an ongoing diplomatic dispute regarding three missing Iranian pilots. Iranian officials accused Qatari authorities of detaining the pilots, who went missing during an operational mission near a US base in Qatar.

Qatari representatives rejected the claims, clarifying that Iran was invited to a joint briefing regarding search and rescue operations, but Tehran did not attend.

Observance of Death Anniversary in Tehran

Meanwhile, public gatherings and commemorations are taking place in Tehran, Qom, and Mashhad to observe the death anniversary of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

State media reported that Mojtaba Khamenei, the current leader and son of Ali Khamenei, is scheduled to lead the primary Chehlum proceedings.