Iran Offers Bounty for U.S. Military Officers
On Sunday, Iranian military leaders declared a $30,000 reward for anyone who kills or captures a U.S. military officer. This announcement comes as Tehran intensifies its threats against American service members, asserting their commitment to confronting the U.S. until it is “completely” defeated.
Major General Amir Khatami said, “Anyone who kills or captures and surrenders invading American military personnel will receive a reward of $30,000 or 5 billion tomans from the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” This statement was made during an event honoring journalists.
Furthermore, it was noted that “brave Iranian women” who partake in such actions would receive double the reward.
Khatami explained that this initiative was launched due to “numerous requests” from Iranians wanting to support attacks on U.S. forces financially. He also mentioned that weapons used against Americans would be bought at double the price and then stored in museums.
The Iranian military did not specify where or how these attacks on Americans would take place. Currently, there are no known U.S. ground forces in Iran, aside from retrieval operations following the downing of a U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle in April.
Both crew members aboard the downed aircraft managed to escape and were later rescued. The pilot was saved quickly, while the Weapons Systems Officer evaded capture for nearly two days before being rescued in a significant mission involving U.S. special operations forces.
Khatami’s words linked the bounty to broader efforts aimed at expelling U.S. forces from the region and stated that American forces “no longer have permission to enter the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, or the Strait of Hormuz.” He insisted, “The only way out is for the Americans to leave the region,” claiming that Iran is on the victorious path.
Describing the Strait of Hormuz as a “geopolitical asset,” Khatami emphasized that it “will never return to its original state,” vowing to protect this capability at all costs.
These remarks followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that he intended to designate the strategic waterway as U.S. territory, as the United States maintains what Trump characterized as an impenetrable naval blockade around Iran.
During a rally, Trump declared, “Once we have defeated Iran, which has suffered a very bad defeat, we will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States.”
Khatami dismissed Trump’s proclamation as a “grave mistake,” threatening any efforts to challenge Iran regarding the strategic waterway. He remarked, “The criminal president of the United States wants to declare the Strait of Hormuz as part of a criminal zone. That’s a little nerve-wracking!” emphasizing Iran’s ability to defend its territory.
Khatami also mocked the extensive security measures taken to protect Trump during his previous visit to Turkey for a NATO summit, calling it a sign of weakness.
Earlier this week, Trump acknowledged that he had ordered the Secret Service and U.S. military to switch planes secretly in response to reported threats during the visit, admitting he was aware of the risks but remained largely unconcerned.
The announced bounty comes amidst a rising Iranian propaganda campaign against the U.S. military and Trump. A new billboard in Tehran depicts skeletons of American soldiers adorned with American flags, serving as a direct threat to Trump.
President Trump has continually warned Iran not to act on its threats against the U.S. and revealed that he had left instructions for a devastating response should they attempt to assassinate him.
“I’ve been on their list for a long time, and that’s what we’re dealing with,” Trump stated, adding that his instructions included “to literally bomb at a level you’ve never seen before” if he were harmed.
He also mentioned on Truth Social that “1,000 missiles are locked and loaded” aimed at Iran, asserting that if Iran were to successfully attempt an assassination, it would lead to their total annihilation.
Khatami’s announcement reflects a broader aggressive stance from Iran’s military and political leadership. The Iranian Armed Forces General Staff vowed not to relent until they “completely defeat America’s Zionist adversaries” and defend Iran’s rights.
Separately, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, involved in negotiations with the U.S., claimed that Iran has already militarily and politically triumphed over both the United States and Israel.
With negotiations at a standstill, this strong rhetoric emerges as Washington seeks diplomatic resolutions to Iran’s increasingly fractured power dynamics. Additionally, reports have suggested that the Trump administration had established a previously undisclosed back channel to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps amid uncertainties about the authority of Iran’s official negotiators.
While one high-ranking official indicated support for negotiations, Iran’s military leadership appears to be taking a contrasting approach, offering financial incentives for violence against Americans as they insist on holding firm until their perceived enemies are subdued.
