US offers $10m reward for information on Iran’s new supreme leader

The United States has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei and several senior officials linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the US State Department said on Friday.

The reward was announced through the department’s Rewards for Justice programme, run by the Diplomatic Security Service. According to the programme, the targeted individuals are accused of commanding and directing elements of the IRGC, which Washington says plans and carries out terrorist activities globally.

Authorities said individuals with relevant information can submit tips through a Tor-based tipline or via Signal and may qualify for financial compensation and relocation assistance.

Other officials named in the notice include Ali Asghar Hejazi, deputy chief of staff of the supreme leader’s office, and Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani. Some of the listings displayed silhouettes where photographs were not available.

The announcement comes as the United States and Israel continue their air campaign against Iran, now entering its third week. US President Donald Trump said American forces would strike Iranian targets “very hard” in the coming days, signalling a further escalation of the conflict.

The offensive began on February 28 and has triggered a widening regional crisis, including missile and drone attacks across the Gulf and disruption to global energy markets.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said more than 15,000 targets have been struck since the campaign began, adding that Iranian missile launchers and drones were being neutralised to limit Tehran’s offensive capabilities.

The conflict has also intensified concerns in energy markets after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for roughly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil. Oil prices briefly surged above $100 per barrel earlier this week amid fears of prolonged supply disruption.

Iranian authorities have warned that continued attacks could further escalate tensions and vowed to maintain pressure on shipping through the strategic waterway.