Key takeaways
- CENTCOM said the State Department's Rewards for Justice program offers up to $20 million and relocation for information on Iran's nuclear program.
- The announcement set no criteria for the full reward and described no new enforcement step, AFP and ABC reported.
- The State Department cited Iran's 60% enriched uranium and the IAEA's lost continuity of knowledge as its rationale.
- Reporting does not show the offer changes negotiations, as Iran reviews Qatari proposals and US officials prepare military options.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Friday 6 November that the State Department's Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program "is offering a reward of up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran's nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community, or the movement of any of the above." AP carried the text of the CENTCOM post on X, which linked to the RFJ tip page.
RFJ's own post asked sources to get in touch "via Signal or our Tor-based tip line" and said they "may be eligible for a reward and relocation." AFP and ABC reported that the announcement set no criteria for what would earn the full $20 million. It described no enforcement or operational step beyond asking for tips.
What Washington says it wants, and why
RFJ said it seeks information on "nuclear scientists and staff, nuclear program-related technologies, and capabilities, associated organizations and personnel." The State Department's stated rationale centres on enrichment. The estimate of Iran's stockpile from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) covers pre-attack uranium enriched to up to 60% purity, "a level that is a short technical step from" the 90% needed for weapons, CBS and AFP quoted the post as saying. AP reported that the IAEA puts the amount at 440.9 kg (972 lb).
The post also said Iran's "lack of compliance with the IAEA on safeguards obligations has led to the agency's loss of 'continuity of knowledge' regarding Iran's production and inventory of key components like centrifuges." CBS reported that Iran suspended IAEA inspections following the June 2025 strikes on its nuclear facilities by the US and Israel.
RFJ dates from 1984. It says it has paid "over $250 million to more than 125 individuals," the Jerusalem Post reported. South Korea's Kyunghyang Shinmun described an offer of up to $20 million for information on Iran's nuclear program itself as an unusual measure.
Observers are reading: how the reward, the reported bridge deal and the strike preparations all turn on one gap, the missing record of Iran's stockpile.
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What to watch
Five markers will show where this goes. The first is Iran's reply to Qatar. A senior Iranian official involved in the talks told Reuters on 28 October that Tehran's policy was unchanged and that it would show "no flexibility on the nuclear issue". The second is Trump's decision on strikes. Axios reported on 4 November, citing American officials, that the US military was "finishing preparations" for a possible resumption of major combat, and Fox News cited US officials saying Monday's new moon is favourable for operations. Fox also reported that CENTCOM had received no new directive. Trump confirmed "minor strikes" on Friday after limited US strikes on Qeshm Island.
The third is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attends a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Paris on Monday and Tuesday and may face questions on Iran, CBS reported. The fourth is any IAEA access to bombed sites. The fifth is whether the reward produces any publicly confirmed result. As of Saturday, 7 November, the reports reviewed did not say whether anyone had come forward or been paid.
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