The US government is offering a reward of up to $20 million, as well as possible relocation, to anyone who provides information about Iran’s nuclear energy programme, the US armed forces announced on Friday.
The information could concern facilities, equipment and personnel, including scientists, as well as their movements, CENTCOM, the US armed forces command responsible for the Middle East, said in a post on X.
Since the start of the war in Iran, with US-Israeli bombings on February 28, US President Donald Trump has repeated almost daily that he will not “allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon”.
Espionage
Last Saturday, he said the US military had “neutralised Tehran’s nuclear capabilities” and that “one or two sites, I would say” remained to be “dealt with”. He was referring to Mount Kolang, known as “Pickaxe Mountain”, where US intelligence agencies suspect an underground nuclear facility is being built.
Iran has denied for decades that it seeks to acquire a nuclear arsenal. It insists, however, that it has the right to maintain a nuclear energy programme for peaceful purposes and will not relinquish that right.
Despite repeated recent US bombings on Qeshm Island, in the Strait of Hormuz, indirect negotiations mediated by the Emirate of Qatar are continuing in an effort to end the war.
The agent recruitment effort highlighted by CENTCOM is a pre-existing initiative under a State Department programme. It recalls the CIA’s efforts to recruit Chinese military officers in early 2026. Beijing reacted at the time, saying it was taking “all necessary measures” against foreign espionage operations.
Source: CNA
