Iran’s military has announced a $30,000 reward for anyone who kills or captures a US soldier, with the bounty doubling if the act is carried out by a woman, Iranian state media reported on Sunday.
Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief Amir Hatami said the initiative was created after receiving numerous requests from people wanting to support the country through what he described as “financial jihad”.
Speaking in Tehran, Hatami said anyone who killed or captured and handed over an American military personnel involved in the invasion would receive $30,000, or 5 billion tomans, from the Iranian Army.
He added that “courageous Iranian women” who carried out such an act would be entitled to twice the reward.
Hatami further said that if a US soldier was killed using a weapon, the Iranian Army would purchase that weapon for double its value and replace it with a new one. He said the original weapon would then be preserved in a proposed museum.
However, Hatami did not specify where or when Iranian fighters could encounter American personnel.
There has been no reported deployment of US ground troops inside Iran during the conflict, apart from an April operation carried out to rescue a downed American pilot.
HATAMI CRITICISES US AND PRESIDENT TRUMP
The Iranian Army chief also claimed that the conflict had undermined Washington’s military dominance and encouraged other countries to consider alternative ways of protecting their security.
Hatami said the United States no longer possessed the level of authority it once enjoyed, according to The Jerusalem Post.
He also criticised US President Donald Trump’s statement that the Strait of Hormuz would be declared “territory of the United States” following Iran’s defeat.
Hatami accused Trump of attempting to portray the situation as an American victory despite what he described as a decline in Washington’s global influence.
The Iranian commander also issued a warning regarding US military bases in West Asia, saying Tehran would not allow facilities that threatened Iran to resume operations in neighbouring countries.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Hatami claimed that American forces had effectively been pushed out and would no longer be allowed to enter the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement came as efforts to initiate peace negotiations remained stalled, while oil tanker movement through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz continued to face disruptions.
Hatami’s remarks gave no indication that either side was taking steps towards ending the conflict that began with the US and Israeli offensive on February 28.
