Tehran’s army chief, Amir Hatami, has announced a $30,000 reward for anyone who kills or captures a US soldier, with the bounty doubled for Iranian women who carry out such an act.
Hatami said the Iranian military had received a “large number of requests” for the introduction of the bounty, despite the absence of US ground troops currently operating inside Iran.
“Anyone who kills or captures and hands over an invading American military personnel will receive a reward equivalent to $30,000 or 5 billion tomans from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army,” Hatami told Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
He added that Iranian women who successfully carry out such an action would be eligible for twice the amount.
The New York Post also reported that Hatami claimed the weapon used to kill an American soldier would be preserved and displayed in a proposed museum.
Since the conflict with Iran began on February 28, 18 US service members have reportedly died. The fatalities occurred outside Iran, including deaths linked to airstrikes and ammunition-related incidents.
The most recent reported instance of US military personnel landing on Iranian soil occurred in April, when an F-15E fighter jet crashed. The pilot and weapons specialist were subsequently rescued during a recovery operation.
The bounty announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran is facing difficulties funding its military, while the ongoing US naval blockade is putting additional pressure on the Islamic Republic’s finances.
The development further underscores the increasingly hostile rhetoric surrounding the conflict between the two countries.
