Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Aug 18: Iranian Army chief Amir Hatami has announced a $30,000 bounty for anyone who kills or captures a US soldier, with the reward rising to $60,000 if the act is carried out by an Iranian woman.

The announcement, reported by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, comes amid continuing tensions between Tehran and Washington, even though there has been no known deployment of US ground troops inside Iran.

Hatami said the initiative was formulated following what he described as a large number of requests from people seeking to participate. He did not specify where or when any attempt against US personnel could take place.

“Anyone who kills or captures and hands over an invading American military personnel will receive a reward equivalent to $30,000 or 5 billion tomans from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army,” Hatami said. The toman is an informal monetary unit commonly used in Iran, equivalent to 10,000 Iranian rials.

“Courageous Iranian women who carry out such an action will receive double the reward,” he added.

Demand for US withdrawal

Hatami also reiterated Tehran’s demand for the withdrawal of US forces from the region, saying American forces “no longer have permission to enter the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz”.

The remarks come as indirect communication between Iran and the US continues through mediators, although there has been no major diplomatic breakthrough following the collapse of a peace framework reached in June.

Bounty announcement amid fragile ceasefire

The bounty announcement comes as a ceasefire between Iran and the US remains fragile, with sporadic exchanges of fire continuing, particularly around southern Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict began on February 28, when the United States, joined by Israel, launched strikes against Iran. Fighting was followed by a ceasefire in April after nearly 40 days of hostilities. A framework for peace talks reached in June subsequently collapsed.

There has been no known deployment of US ground forces inside Iranian territory during the conflict, apart from a rescue mission in April involving US personnel sent to recover the weapons systems officer of a downed F-15.

The latest bounty announcement therefore comes without any confirmed US ground presence inside Iran that could be targeted under the offer.

According to reports, 17 US military personnel have been killed since the conflict began. All reported deaths occurred outside Iranian territory, including in Iraq and Jordan, with the latest casualties reported in July.

Hatami warns Washington over Gulf access

Hatami used the announcement to reinforce Tehran’s broader demand that Washington withdraw its military forces from the region.

The two countries remain locked in a tense standoff, with the Strait of Hormuz and waters around southern Iran emerging as key areas of confrontation.

Despite ongoing indirect contacts through mediators, the collapse of the June peace framework has left relations between Tehran and Washington highly strained, with no major diplomatic breakthrough in sight.