Iran Offers Bounty for Killing or Capturing U.S. Soldiers

Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief Amir Hatami announced a bounty of $30,000, or 5 billion tomans, for anyone who kills or captures United States soldiers and hands them over to authorities. Hatami stated the reward would double to $60,000 for Iranian women who carry out such actions. The Iranian army also offered to purchase the weapons used in these operations at twice their market value for display in a museum, with rewards funded through public contributions.

This escalation follows a conflict that began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran. While a ceasefire in April and a June memorandum of understanding intended to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the truce expired recently. Reports indicate Iran used the negotiation period to strengthen the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and accelerate missile and drone production while attacking commercial vessels.

In response to these maritime attacks, United States Central Command struck 80 Iranian targets. President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire over and demanded that Iran pay reparations for damages and deaths in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza, as well as for approximately 52,000 killed protesters within Iran. Hatami asserted that the era of American military presence in the Persian Gulf is "permanently over."