Iran offers $30,000 reward for capturing or killing US troops; doubles for women
The Iranian Army has announced a reward of approximately $30,000 for anyone who kills or captures U.S. military personnel, with the amount doubled for Iranian women who carry out such an act. The announcement was made on Sunday by Army chief Amir Hatami, who said the plan was drawn up after a "large number of requests" to participate, according to the state news agency IRNA.
Mr. Hatami did not provide specific details on where or when such actions might take place. He framed the move as a response to what Iran calls the presence of U.S. troops in the region, repeating calls for Washington to withdraw from West Asia. "They no longer have permission to enter the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz," he said.
The reward, equivalent to 5 billion tomans, is the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington, which began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Since then, the two sides have engaged in intermittent fighting, with clashes concentrated in southern Iran and around the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire took effect in April after nearly 40 days of fighting, followed by a framework for peace talks in June that later collapsed.
There has been no known deployment of U.S. ground forces inside Iran during the current war, with the exception of a rescue mission in April. That operation involved around 200 U.S. troops and more than 170 aircraft, after an F-15 fighter jet was downed. The weapon systems officer was retrieved, while the pilot had been rescued days earlier in a smaller helicopter operation. During the rescue mission, Iranian forces damaged a U.S. A-10 ground attack aircraft, which was ditched over friendly territory. The U.S. also reportedly abandoned and destroyed several aircraft used in the mission, including a C-130 transport plane.
According to available data, the number of U.S. military personnel killed since the start of the war stands at 17, with the most recent deaths occurring in July. All of these fatalities have taken place outside Iran, in countries such as Jordan and Iraq.
The reward announcement is seen as a symbolic act by Iran, reflecting the continued hostility between the two nations. Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, facilitated by mediators, have continued, but there has been little sign of a diplomatic breakthrough. Iran has also presented a list of demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including war reparations.
The reward's emphasis on women taking part is notable, as it appears designed to encourage broader participation in the conflict. However, analysts point out that the practical impact of the reward is uncertain, as there are no U.S. ground forces currently operating in Iran. The announcement may serve more as a signal of resolve than a call to action.
The amount of 5 billion tomans is substantial by local standards, and the use of the informal "toman" unit suggests an attempt to resonate with a wide domestic audience. Mr. Hatami's statement, while not indicating concrete military targets, reinforces Iran's determined stance against the U.S. presence in the region.
The announcement comes as the two countries remain locked in a tense standoff. Since the ceasefire collapsed, there have been periodic exchanges of fire, but both sides have avoided a full-scale resumption of hostilities. Regional powers have urged restraint, but no concrete steps toward de-escalation have been announced. Iran has consistently accused the United States of aggression and has demanded compensation for damages. The U.S. has maintained that its operations aim to prevent Iran from threatening regional stability, including the strategic waterway through which a significant portion of global oil trade passes.
