Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Nov 7: The United States has announced 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 fresh escalation of the conflict.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the offer on Friday under the State Department's Rewards for Justice programme. The initiative is seeking information about Iran's nuclear activities, including details concerning individuals associated with its scientific community.
Established in 1984, the Rewards for Justice programme offers financial incentives for information that could help protect American lives and national security interests.
In its statement, the State Department said Iran's failure to comply 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 the exact nature of information required to qualify for the maximum $20 million reward or explain how the reward amount would be determined.
The announcement comes as US President Donald Trump continues to defend Washington's military campaign against Iran while claiming that Tehran is keen to reach an agreement to end the conflict.
Speaking in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday night, Trump said US strikes had prevented Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He also claimed that Israel would not have survived without American military intervention.
"If we didn't hit Iran, you wouldn't have Israel today," Trump said, warning that Iran could have devastated the Middle East had it acquired nuclear weapons.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that American 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 house 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 eager to negotiate an agreement.
"We're dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly," he said on Friday.
Diplomatic efforts by mediators are continuing to prevent further escalation and avert another round of fighting. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also said on Tuesday that his government remained committed to resolving the crisis through dialogue.
The US reward announcement comes amid continuing uncertainty over Iran's nuclear programme and efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.