US offers $20 million reward for information on Iran's nuclear programme

The United States will pay up to 20 million dollars (about 250 crore taka) to anyone who can provide important information about Iran's nuclear programme.

To ensure the informant's safety, arrangements will also be made to move them elsewhere if needed. The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) has made the announcement.

In a post on the social media platform X, CENTCOM said the reward would be given under the US State Department's "Rewards for Justice" programme.

Information has been sought on facilities, equipment, scientists, researchers and other people connected with Iran's nuclear programme.

The "Rewards for Justice" programme was launched in 1984 with the aim of gathering important information to protect US national security and interests. Under the programme, rewards are paid in exchange for information, and informants can be moved to a safe location if needed.

On the reward announcement, the US State Department said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is unable to monitor Iran's nuclear activities because Iran is not meeting its safeguards obligations.

In particular, information is consistently not being received about the production and storage of key materials such as centrifuges used in uranium enrichment, the State Department said.

However, the US State Department has not given any specific conditions on exactly what kind of information would earn the maximum 20 million dollar reward.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the US military has virtually destroyed Iran's nuclear programme.

Speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday night, he said: "If the United States had not attacked Iran, Israel would not exist today. If Iran had nuclear weapons, the country would have used them and destroyed the Middle East."

Trump further claimed that eight months of war had severely damaged Iran's economy and military strength. Now the country is keen to make a deal to stop the war. "We are now talking to them. They want a deal," he said.

Meanwhile, mediator countries have continued their diplomatic efforts so that war does not break out again. On Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also said his government is still trying to resolve the crisis through talks.

Earlier, Trump had said that action remained to be taken against a couple more targets in Iran. Among them is Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran. The US claims there is a nuclear facility there. Iran has denied the claim.