Iran's army chief offers $30,000 bounty for each US soldier killed or captured

Bounty announcement

Iran's armed forces chief Amir Hatami declared on August 16 that any Iranian who captures or kills a US soldier will receive a $30,000 reward, with the funds described as coming from the "Iranian people." According to reporting by the Avash news portal cited by dpa, women who capture or kill US soldiers will receive double the amount. Hatami used the term "aggressor" to describe US military personnel in the region, and the announcement was carried by Iran's Fars news agency. Iran International, a London-based outlet close to the opposition, also reported the statement.

The General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces issued a separate declaration marking the anniversary of the return of Iranian prisoners of war from Iraq in 1990, stating it would not relent until the "complete defeat" of its American and Israeli enemies. The military body said the legacy of "resistance" had been passed to a new generation of Iranians who had opposed what it described as the most powerfully equipped army in the world. The statement, broadcast by Fars, also praised public support for the armed forces and accused the US of aggression and domination in the region. Iran will continue to defend what it called the country's legitimate rights and the demands of its leadership "until the enemy surrenders."

Prior bounties and secret diplomacy

Iranian officials have previously offered rewards for killing US President Donald Trump. On May 15, Ebrahim Azizi, president of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission in parliament, announced a bill proposing a €50 million bounty for Trump's assassination. The new $30,000-per-soldier bounty comes amid continued military tensions between Washington and Tehran. Both sides have repeatedly violated a June 17 framework agreement that provided for a definitive cessation of war on all fronts.

Separately, Axios reported that in May the Trump administration opened a secret channel with Revolutionary Guard commander Ahmad Vahidi through the president of Iraqi Kurdistan, Nechirvan Barzani. Three sources with direct knowledge of the matter were cited.

Ghalibaf claims victory

Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who also serves as chief negotiator in Iran-US talks, said the United States and Israel had "repeatedly attacked Iran in their vile war against the country" but achieved none of their objectives at any level.

It was a clear failure for them and a political and military victory for us.

Ghalibaf, quoted by Irna, added that the memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the United States was "a document of honor and victory, thanks to which Iran obtained diplomatic results."

Executions and regional escalation

On the same day as the bounty announcement, Iranian authorities reported the execution of Shahram Sadeghi, who had been convicted for an attack on police officers and found guilty of acting in favor of Israel and the United States, according to the Mizan agency. Executions have intensified in Iran since the war with the United States and Israel began. Iranian authorities have acknowledged over 3,000 deaths from protests and the conflict, while external NGOs describe a much broader repression.

Tensions have also spread across the region. Houthi fighters in Yemen struck the coastal city of al-Makha with missiles and drones. Government air defense forces intercepted a drone from the Iran-backed group.