U.S. Offers Up to $10 Million for Whereabouts of Iran’s New Supreme Leader and Senior IRGC Officials
The State Department’s Rewards for Justice program announced Friday it is offering up to $10 million, plus potential relocation, for information on the whereabouts of new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and nine other senior Islamic Republic and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps figures. The poster, released in English and Farsi, labels the targets as "Iranian terrorist leaders" and lists by name officials including Deputy Chief of Staff Ali Asghar Hejazi, military adviser Maj. Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, Interior Minister Brig. Gen. Eskandar Momeni, Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib and Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani, while four other positions are described only by title. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is quoted saying Mojtaba Khamenei is "wounded and likely disfigured" following the missile strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top leaders at the start of the war, though that claim has not been independently verified. RFJ’s social posts explicitly solicit tips from Iranians, highlighting U.S. efforts to penetrate the regime’s inner circle at a time when Iran’s leadership is in hiding and the U.S.–Iran conflict has shut the Strait of Hormuz and jolted global energy markets. The move escalates Washington’s use of financial incentives and public bounty campaigns as a tool in a high‑stakes war aimed in part at decapitating Tehran’s command structure, and will fuel debate about both the effectiveness and legality of targeting sitting state officials this way.
📌 Key Facts
- The U.S. State Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $10 million and possible relocation for information on 10 senior Iranian leaders.
- Targets include new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, several named IRGC‑linked and cabinet officials, and four unnamed officials identified only by top security and military roles.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims Mojtaba Khamenei is "wounded and likely disfigured" following the missile strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though there is no independent confirmation.
- Rewards for Justice released English and Farsi posters and promoted them on social media, directly appealing to Iranians for tips during the ongoing U.S.–Iran war.
📊 Relevant Data
In a confidential survey conducted in 2025, 92% of Iranians expressed dissatisfaction with the country's direction under the current regime.
92% of Iranians dissatisfied with state of the country - poll — Iran International
Black households in the US face energy burdens that are 43% higher than non-Hispanic White households, Hispanic households 20% higher, and Native American households 45% higher, based on 2020 data.
Energy Burden Research — ACEEE
As of 2020, Black service members make up 16.2% of the US active-duty military, compared to 13.4% of the civilian population, while Hispanics comprise 16% of active-duty forces versus 18.5% of the population, with racial diversity decreasing in higher ranks.
Demographics of the U.S. Military — Council on Foreign Relations
Iranian emigration to the US has surged in recent years, with significant increases among young professionals in 2023 due to economic challenges and loss of hope in domestic reforms, influenced by US sanctions and Iran's internal policies.
Iran's Emigration Surge: Young Professionals Lose Hope In Reforms — Iran International
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