US Offers $20 Million for Iran Nuclear Information, Drawing Iranian Protest

The US State Department announced the reward on November 6, offering up to $20 million for information about Iran's nuclear program, according to CNN Brasil. The offer also includes possible relocation, NDTV News reported.

The initiative runs through the State Department's Rewards for Justice program. Its scope includes nuclear facilities, equipment and associated personnel, according to the Jerusalem Post. This is a request for information, not an announcement that any reward has been paid.

US Central Command publicized the offer in a post on X late on November 6, according to Middle East Eye. Reports published on November 7 carried its confirmation of the reward and possible relocation.

The information sought extends beyond the location of nuclear sites. On November 7, the New York Post reported that the announcement specifically sought details about Iranian "nuclear scientists and staff," nuclear technologies and capabilities, and associated organizations and personnel.

Washington also set out its stated reason for seeking more information. The State Department said Iran's failure to comply with International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards obligations had caused the agency to lose "continuity of knowledge," Euronews reported on November 7. The Times of Israel described those gaps as concerning the production and inventory of key components.

The offer came alongside renewed discussion of military action. BBC News reported on November 7 that Donald Trump had repeatedly raised the prospect of renewed strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. Arab News reported that President Donald Trump also reiterated that Tehran wanted to make a deal.

Iran's response moved the dispute to international institutions. On November 10, IRNA English reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had sent a letter addressed to Guterres, the UN Security Council president and Grossi, seeking condemnation of the US announcement.

By November 11, Iran was formally calling on the United Nations and the IAEA to condemn the reward offer, according to Mehr News. ISNA also reported the demand, describing Iran's position that its nuclear program is peaceful. Franceinfo reported that Tehran has consistently denied seeking an atomic weapon and defended its right to civilian nuclear activity.

The public terms remain broad. The Hindu reported that Rewards for Justice gave no specific parameters explaining what information would earn the full $20 million. Possible relocation is part of the offer, but the supplied coverage does not establish eligibility criteria or report a payment.

The immediate open question is whether the United Nations or the IAEA responds to Iran's request for condemnation. The coverage provided reports the request, but no response from either institution.

Further US guidance could clarify what information qualifies for a reward and how relocation would work. Those details would help distinguish the headline maximum from what an individual source might actually receive.