The United States government has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who was recently appointed Iran’s new supreme leader amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The announcement comes amid growing friction as the USA intensifies pressure on Iran’s leadership following a series of military strikes and geopolitical conflict.
Reward Targets Iran’s Top Military and Intelligence Figures
According to details on the US State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, the bounty covers ten senior Iranian military and intelligence officials connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the USA designates as a terrorist organization.
Among those named are:
-
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader
-
National security chief Ali Larijani
-
Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib
-
Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni
-
Additional senior leaders reportedly tied to Iran’s security apparatus
The program, run by the U.S. Department of State, aims to incentivize credible tips that can help American authorities locate or gather actionable intelligence on key figures considered central to Iran’s strategic command.
Leadership Transition Following Ali Khamenei’s Death
Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after the elder supreme leader was killed in U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on February 28 during the ongoing regional conflict.
The Assembly of Experts subsequently named Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader on March 8.
The appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader has drawn intense international attention, especially from the USA and its allies, who have harshly criticized the succession and the cleric’s leadership credentials.
Conflicting Reports on Public Appearances and Health
Despite his appointment, Mojtaba Khamenei has remained largely absent from public view, fueling speculation about his condition following recent attacks.
Viral footage of other top officials in Tehran, including Ali Larijani appearing at public rallies, has partly contradicted U.S. claims that Iran’s leadership is in hiding.
The reward announcement comes amid one of the most turbulent periods in U.S.–Iran relations in recent history. The USA has repeatedly accused Tehran of sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing the Middle East, while Iran has denounced American actions as aggressive interference.
This move highlights how the USA is using financial incentives and intelligence tools to pressure Iran’s new leadership, placing Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and other officials at the center of global geopolitical scrutiny.
