The United States is offering a reward of up to $20 million, along with possible relocation, for information about Iran's nuclear programme, including its facilities, equipment and personnel, as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a resumption of the conflict.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the offer on Friday, citing the State Department's Rewards for Justice programme. The initiative is seeking information about Iran's nuclear activities, including details concerning individuals in its scientific community.
The State Department programme, established in 1984 as part of the US national security rewards initiative, offers financial incentives for information that could protect American lives and interests.
In its statement, the State Department said Iran's lack of compliance with safeguards obligations under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had resulted in the agency losing its "continuity of knowledge" regarding Iran's production and inventory of key components, including centrifuges.
However, the department did not specify what kind of information would qualify for the maximum $20 million reward or outline the criteria for determining the amount offered.
TRUMP SAYS US STRIKES HAVE CRIPPLED IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME
The announcement comes as US President Donald Trump continues to defend Washington's military campaign against Iran while maintaining that Tehran is seeking an agreement to end the conflict.
Speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday night, Trump said the US strikes had prevented Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and claimed that Israel would not have survived without American intervention.
"If we didn't hit Iran, you wouldn't have Israel today," Trump said. He also claimed that Iran would have used nuclear weapons had it acquired them, warning that this could have devastated the Middle East.
Trump has repeatedly maintained that US forces have effectively destroyed Iran's nuclear programme. However, earlier this week, he said Washington still had to "take care" of one or two targets, including Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran, which the US suspects could be a nuclear facility.
Tehran has denied that the site is a nuclear facility.
Despite his claims about the damage inflicted on Iran's military and economy during the eight-month conflict, Trump said Tehran was keen to negotiate an agreement.
"We're dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly," he said on Friday.
DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS CONTINUE TO PREVENT FRESH FIGHTING
Diplomatic efforts by mediators have been continuing to prevent further escalation and avert a fresh round of fighting.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also said on Tuesday that his government remained committed to resolving the crisis through dialogue.
The latest US reward announcement comes amid continuing uncertainty over the future of Iran's nuclear programme and efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Source: India Today