US offers $20 million reward for information on Iran’s nuclear programme

The United States has announced a reward of up to $20 million for anyone who can provide useful information about Iran’s nuclear programme, in a move that highlights Washington’s continued efforts to monitor Tehran’s nuclear activities despite repeated claims that its military operations have severely damaged the country’s nuclear capabilities.

The announcement was made through the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice programme, which is offering financial incentives and possible relocation to individuals who can provide information that could help the American government understand the scale, structure and operations of Iran’s nuclear programme.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) publicised the offer in a statement shared on social media on Friday, November 6, explaining that the reward covers information about Iran’s nuclear facilities, equipment and associated personnel.

According to the announcement, the American government is particularly interested in information concerning individuals involved in the programme, including scientists and other members of Iran’s scientific community.

The offer also extends to information about the movement of nuclear-related equipment, facilities and personnel, suggesting that Washington is seeking intelligence beyond the locations of known nuclear installations.

The Rewards for Justice programme encouraged individuals with relevant information to contact American authorities through its designated secure communication channels. The government said qualifying informants could receive a financial reward and assistance with relocation, although the maximum payment would depend on the information provided and its usefulness.

The announcement comes at a particularly sensitive moment in relations between Washington and Tehran, with the two countries remaining involved in a prolonged confrontation over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, military activities and regional influence.

What the US Government Wants to Know

The American government has made it clear that its interest extends beyond identifying the physical locations of Iran’s nuclear installations.

Through the Rewards for Justice initiative, Washington is seeking information about the people, organisations, technologies and capabilities connected to the country’s nuclear programme.

This includes details about nuclear scientists, technical personnel, research activities, specialised equipment and organisations believed to be involved in supporting the programme.

Information concerning the transportation or relocation of nuclear-related materials and equipment is also covered by the reward offer.

The inclusion of personnel and movements is significant because nuclear programmes involve extensive networks of researchers, engineers, technical specialists, contractors and supporting institutions. Understanding how these networks operate could provide intelligence about activities that might not be visible through satellite imagery or other forms of external monitoring.

However, the US government has not publicly provided a detailed breakdown of the information required to qualify for the full $20 million payment.

The offer should therefore not be interpreted as a guarantee that every individual who submits information will receive the maximum amount. Rewards are generally assessed according to the quality, credibility and national security value of the intelligence provided.

The possibility of relocation is another important element of the announcement, particularly for individuals who may face serious personal risks because of their decision to cooperate with American authorities.

Background to Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Iran’s nuclear activities have remained a major source of international concern for several years, particularly over the possibility that its uranium enrichment capabilities could eventually be used to develop nuclear weapons.

Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes, including electricity generation, scientific research and medical applications. However, the level of uranium enrichment achieved by the country has raised questions among Western governments and international monitoring organisations.

In 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran was enriching uranium to 60 per cent purity. This is significantly above the enrichment level generally required for civilian nuclear power production and represents a relatively short technical step from the 90 per cent enrichment level associated with weapons-grade uranium.

Iran is the only country without recognised nuclear weapons status that has produced uranium at such a high enrichment level.

The IAEA has also expressed concerns about its ability to maintain a complete understanding of Iran’s nuclear activities. According to the US State Department, Iran’s lack of compliance with certain safeguards obligations has contributed to the agency losing what it describes as continuity of knowledge regarding the country’s production and inventory of important nuclear components, including centrifuges.

Centrifuges are essential equipment used to enrich uranium. They separate uranium isotopes through high-speed rotation, allowing the concentration of uranium-235 to be increased.

The ability to monitor these machines, their production and their movements is therefore important for international efforts to establish whether Iran’s nuclear activities remain within agreed limits.

The US government believes that obtaining additional information about these activities could help address gaps in its understanding of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Previous US Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities

The latest reward announcement also comes against the background of American military operations targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

In June 2025, the United States launched strikes against three major Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.

Following the operation, President Donald Trump declared that the attacks had completely and totally destroyed Iran’s key nuclear facilities.

The American president repeatedly described the military operation as a major success, arguing that it had significantly weakened Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons.

However, questions subsequently emerged over the actual extent of the damage.

A preliminary Pentagon assessment reported at the time indicated that the strikes had caused significant damage but did not necessarily destroy the underground structures at the targeted locations. There were also concerns about the whereabouts of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, with reports suggesting that some material had been moved before the attacks.

These uncertainties have continued to shape discussions about the effectiveness of military action against Iran’s nuclear programme.

In February 2026, the United States and Israel launched another major military campaign against Iran, escalating an already dangerous confrontation. The conflict expanded beyond nuclear-related targets, with military exchanges and disruptions to regional security creating further international concern.

Trump has continued to insist that American military action has severely damaged Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities. Nevertheless, the latest intelligence reward indicates that Washington still considers information about the programme and its remaining infrastructure important.

The decision to offer financial incentives for information suggests that military operations alone have not removed the need for intelligence gathering.

Trump Administration Faces Questions Over Nuclear Threat

The reward announcement has also drawn attention because of the apparent contrast between the administration’s public statements about Iran’s nuclear capabilities and its continued efforts to obtain information about the programme.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that American military strikes effectively obliterated Iran’s nuclear capabilities. He has also argued that preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains essential to protecting the United States and its allies, particularly Israel.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, the president again defended the American military campaign and maintained that Iran would have posed a serious threat if it had acquired nuclear weapons.

At the same time, he indicated that diplomatic discussions with Tehran were ongoing and expressed confidence that Iran wanted an agreement to bring the conflict to an end.

His comments came as diplomatic efforts involving Qatar continued, with mediators attempting to find a way forward and prevent further escalation.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also indicated that his government remains interested in resolving the crisis through dialogue.

However, the two countries continue to face major disagreements over nuclear activities, sanctions, military operations and regional security.

For Washington, obtaining reliable intelligence could strengthen its position in any future negotiations while helping determine whether Iran retains the technical infrastructure and personnel required to continue sensitive nuclear activities.

For Tehran, however, the American reward initiative could be viewed as another attempt to gather intelligence within its borders and place additional pressure on its government.

International Security Implications

The development has implications that extend beyond the relationship between Washington and Tehran. Iran’s nuclear activities have long been a central issue in international security discussions, particularly among countries in the Middle East that fear the possibility of a regional nuclear arms race.

Israel has consistently opposed Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and considers Tehran’s nuclear capabilities a major security threat. Other countries in the region have also expressed concerns about the consequences of an Iranian nuclear weapon, particularly the possibility that neighbouring states could seek similar capabilities.

The United States has maintained that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons is a major national security priority. However, the use of military force, intelligence operations and economic pressure has not produced a lasting resolution to the dispute.

The latest reward initiative adds another dimension to Washington’s strategy by encouraging people with direct knowledge of Iran’s nuclear activities to provide information.

If credible intelligence emerges, it could help American authorities identify facilities, understand technical developments and establish whether important nuclear equipment or personnel have been moved.

Nevertheless, the announcement does not establish that Iran is currently developing a nuclear weapon. It represents an American intelligence-gathering initiative rather than independent confirmation of new nuclear activities.

How Informants Can Submit Information

The Rewards for Justice programme provides secure channels through which individuals can submit information to American authorities.

The US government has directed potential informants to its official programme website, where information about the reward and submission procedures is available. Communication options include Signal and a Tor-based tip line, designed to provide greater protection for individuals communicating sensitive information.

The programme also offers the possibility of relocation for individuals whose cooperation could expose them to danger.

Established in 1984, Rewards for Justice was originally created to encourage information that could help protect American citizens and national security interests. Its activities have expanded over the years to cover various security threats, including terrorism and other foreign operations against the United States.

The $20 million offer concerning Iran’s nuclear programme represents one of the initiative’s significant intelligence incentives.

For now, Washington has not announced whether it has received any qualifying information or whether anyone has been selected to receive the reward.

The announcement nevertheless demonstrates that the United States continues to consider intelligence about Iran’s nuclear infrastructure a priority, despite repeated presidential claims that military strikes have destroyed much of the country’s nuclear capabilities.

As diplomatic efforts continue and tensions remain high, the information obtained through the programme could become an important factor in determining Washington’s next steps towards Tehran.