The United States State Department has announced a reward of up to USD 10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, as well as several high-ranking officials within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The announcement, made through the "Rewards for Justice" program, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the US-Israeli coalition and the Iranian leadership.

According to the State Department, the targeted individuals "command and direct various elements of the IRGC, which plans, organizes, and executes terrorism worldwide."

Alongside Mojtaba Khamenei, the list includes Ali Asghar Hejazi, deputy chief of staff of the Supreme Leader’s office, and senior security official Ali Larijani.

The offer includes provisions for monetary compensation and potential relocation for those providing actionable intelligence via secure, encrypted channels.

The reward comes during the third week of a massive air campaign, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by the US, which began on February 28.

The initial strikes resulted in the death of the previous Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

In a statement on Friday, US President Donald Trump warned that American forces would continue to strike Iranian targets "very hard" to dismantle the regime's offensive capabilities.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported that over 15,000 targets have been engaged since the campaign started, further claiming that Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded in the February 28 attack that killed his father.

The conflict has caused severe disruptions to global energy markets after the IRGC effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for nearly 20% of the world's oil trade.

Oil prices surged past USD 100 per barrel earlier this week as stock markets reacted to the regional instability.

While the Iranian leadership has pledged to maintain pressure on strategic waterways and retaliate against further strikes, the US maintains that its operations are essential to neutralizing the threat posed by the IRGC’s missile and drone networks.

Source: NDTV