TEHRAN (Realist English). The Chief of Staff of the Iranian Army, Amir Hatami, has announced a reward of $30,000 (5 billion tomans) for the killing or capture of a US serviceman.
If the act is committed by a woman, the reward is doubled to $60,000. The initiative is a response to “numerous requests” from citizens wishing to contribute to the country’s war effort. There are no US ground forces on Iranian territory, and Hatami did not specify where and when such actions could be carried out.
Terms of the reward
According to Hatami’s statement, distributed by state news agency IRNA, any Iranian who “kills or captures and hands over an invading American serviceman” to the army of the Islamic Republic will receive the reward. “Brave Iranian women who carry out such an act will receive double the reward,” he added.
In addition, the weapon used to kill the US soldier will be bought back at double the price, and the owner will be provided with a new one. The weapon itself is to be placed in a museum.
The general did not specify where, when or how Iranians might encounter US servicemen, given that there has been no ground deployment of US troops in Iran. The sole exception was a rescue mission in April to evacuate a downed US pilot, which involved about 200 servicemen.
War without US ground forces in Iran
The bounty announcement comes amid the ongoing war between the US and Iran, which began on 28 February following joint US‑Israeli strikes. Since then, American soldiers have not appeared on Iranian soil.
Since the start of the war, 17 US servicemen (according to some sources, 18) have died in strikes and incidents outside Iran.
Hatami also reiterated Iran’s demand for the US to withdraw from the Middle East, stating that Washington “no longer has permission to enter the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz.” He claimed that the war had “destroyed Washington’s military dominance.”
Political backdrop: the deadline approaches
The bounty announcement comes as the 60‑day deadline for the memorandum of understanding signed on 17 June between the US and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, approaches. The temporary ceasefire agreement remains fragile, negotiations are not progressing, and the sides continue to exchange sporadic strikes.
Expert opinion: ‘Propaganda, not a practical measure’
A military analyst and former IRGC intelligence officer told the press:
“This announcement is more of a propaganda move, aimed at a domestic audience and boosting morale. The absence of US ground forces in Iran makes it practically impossible to fulfil the conditions and claim the reward.
However, the very fact of such an announcement amid a fragile ceasefire heightens tensions and demonstrates Tehran’s hardline stance. The real threat is not this bounty, but the potential for escalation outside Iran, where US forces are already taking casualties.”
The bounty announcement is more of a propaganda move than a practical military measure. The absence of US ground forces in Iran makes it unlikely that anyone could physically fulfil the conditions and receive the reward.
However, the very fact of such an announcement in the context of information warfare and a fragile ceasefire heightens tensions and underlines Tehran’s hardline position.
The key risk is that escalation of rhetoric could provoke new incidents outside Iran, where US forces are already taking casualties (in Jordan and Iraq).
The question is whether this announcement is part of the “financial jihad,” as Iranian media call it, or an attempt to undermine confidence in a negotiation process that is already on the brink of collapse.
