Iran Bounty on U.S. Soldiers: $30K Reward Announced

In an unprecedented escalation of tensions between Tehran and Washington, Iran's Army commander Sarlashkar Amir Khatami announced Sunday a $30,000 cash reward for any Iranian who successfully captures or kills an American soldier described as an "aggressor."

The announcement was made during a ceremony marking Journalist Day, held at the Army's ideological-political organization. Khatami emphasized that the bounty would be funded "by the Iranian people" through public contributions rather than directly from the state budget. According to Iranian reports, women who capture or kill an American soldier would receive double the amount—$60,000.

"If any Iranian force succeeds in capturing or killing an attacking American force, they will receive a reward of $30,000 from the Iranian people," Khatami was quoted as saying by Iranian media outlets including Defa Press and WANA. The announcement was confirmed by official channels as well as independent outlets such as Iran International.

The declaration comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States in the region, particularly concerning the American military presence in the Middle East and the situation in the Persian Gulf. In the last few days, friction has intensified following repeated statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with the American president threatening to declare the strait as U.S. territory.

During a speech at the Police Academy in Long Island on Friday, Trump said that "after we finish defeating Iran, which is being defeated badly, pretty soon I will declare the Strait of Hormuz as territory of the United States." Notably, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance recently stated in a Fox News interview that "goal number one: keep oil and gas cheap for Americans."

This is not the first time Iranian officials have offered cash bounties targeting Americans. In May, a senior Iranian parliamentarian reported on a proposed bill that included a 50 million euro reward for killing President Donald Trump. Ibrahim Azizi, chairman of the National Security Committee in the Iranian parliament, recently issued a public threat toward Trump, mockingly referencing the dramatic operation in which the American president was smuggled in a supply truck due to Iranian threats.