Amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, Washington has announced a massive bounty for information on Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. The move comes as the conflict intensifies following a series of US-Israel strikes on Iranian territory and a leadership change in Tehran.
US announces reward through the Rewards for Justice programme
The United States has offered a reward of up to $10 million (about ₹92.47 crore) for information on Mojtaba Khamenei and several other senior Iranian officials linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The announcement was made through the US State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme, which gathers intelligence on individuals accused of involvement in global terrorism.
According to the statement, the officials targeted in the announcement are believed to command or direct various IRGC units that the US claims plan and execute operations across the world. The programme has urged people with credible information to submit tips through secure channels such as encrypted communication platforms or a Tor-based tip line. The bounty announcement comes at a time when the US and Israel are continuing their joint air campaign against Iran, increasing pressure on Tehran’s leadership and military network.
Also Read | Iran's new Supreme Leader 'wounded, likely disfigured', claims US War Secretary Pete Hegseth
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei
Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, recently became Iran’s Supreme Leader after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in US-Israeli strikes earlier in the conflict. Despite rarely appearing in public and never holding elected office, he had long been considered one of the most influential figures within Iran’s political and security establishment.
A mid-ranking cleric, Mojtaba built strong ties with the IRGC and other powerful institutions while working within the Office of the Supreme Leader. Analysts say his influence grew quietly over decades, making him a key power broker in Iran even before he formally assumed leadership. He has also previously faced sanctions from the United States, which accused him of representing his father in an official capacity while exercising significant influence within Iran’s political system.
Also Read | Mojtaba Khamenei 'damaged, but alive in some form', says Donald Trump amid Iran war tensions
The US decision to place a multimillion-dollar bounty on Mojtaba Khamenei signals a sharp escalation in its confrontation with Iran’s leadership. As the war continues and tensions remain high across the Middle East, the move reflects Washington’s strategy to increase pressure on Tehran’s political and military network while seeking intelligence on key decision-makers within the Iranian regime.
