The United States has offered a reward of up to $20 million for information regarding Iran’s nuclear program, a move that appears to contradict recent assertions by the Trump administration that Iranian nuclear facilities have been "obliterated." The Department of State's Rewards for Justice program announced the offer on Friday, which also includes the possibility of relocation for any informants who provide accurate intelligence on Iran's nuclear facilities, equipment, and associated scientific personnel.
The discrepancy in messaging follows a White House release dated June 25, 2025, titled "Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Have Been Obliterated — and Suggestions Otherwise are Fake News." In that statement, the administration claimed the world was "far safer" following what President Donald Trump described as "highly successful, decisive precision strikes." Trump stated that "monumental damage" was inflicted on all nuclear sites, asserting that "obliteration is an accurate term" and noting that significant destruction occurred far below ground level.
The official declaration was supported by quotes from several senior US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, and former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The release also cited remarks from Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, Israeli military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and heads of relevant institutes regarding the degradation of Iran's nuclear sites.
These claims reference the American military strikes conducted on June 21–22, 2025, under Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Despite the administration's public stance, reports indicate internal divisions within the government regarding next steps. NBC News reported that President Trump is being urged to launch a new major military campaign against Iran before Democrats take control of Congress in January, with Secretary Hegseth pushing for renewed strikes on nuclear and energy infrastructure, while Vice President Vance favors negotiations.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high on the ground. Hossein Mohebbi, spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, stated that the military is mobilizing capabilities ahead of a possible third round of warfare. Speaking at a press conference marking the IRGC’s Aerospace Week on Saturday, Mohebbi said the military was prepared to "unveil surprises" that would astonish the world "if circumstances warrant it."
Diplomatic efforts continue in parallel, with Iran reviewing proposals presented by Qatari mediators to address differences over the nuclear program and reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at Oxford University on Friday, Qatar's Prime Minister stated that the US administration remains committed to a diplomatic solution despite the upcoming midterm election outcome.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
