Iran Offers $30,000 Reward for Killing or Capturing US Troops, Doubles Payout for Women

Iran's military said it will pay $30,000 to anyone who kills or captures a US service member. The reward would double if the act is carried out by a woman.

Iran's state-run IRIB broadcaster reported on August 16 that Amir Hatami, commander-in-chief of the Iranian armed forces, announced the plan at an awards event for journalists and media workers. He said the program was created after a surge of requests from people seeking to take part in what he called a "financial jihad."

Anyone who kills an "invading" US soldier or captures one and turns that person over will receive $30,000, or 5 billion tomans, from the Iranian military, Hatami said. The payment would be guaranteed by backers of the financial campaign and the armed forces.

Iranian women who successfully complete the same mission would receive twice that amount, he added.

Hatami also said the US should remember that "this is Iran." If Washington miscalculates, it will become a lesson "that will remain in history," he said.

There have been no official reports that US ground troops were deployed inside Iranian territory during the war. Still, after a US military aircraft crashed in April, US forces rescued an ejected pilot.

The war between the US and Iran began on February 28, when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran. After about 40 days of fighting, the sides reached a ceasefire in April. A framework for peace talks was set in June, but the negotiations later collapsed.

Since the breakdown in talks, the US and Iran have continued sporadic armed clashes centered on southern Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Mediators including Qatar and Pakistan are in contact with both sides, but have not found a way to restart negotiations.

Lee Bo-bae, Hankyung.com guest reporter newsinfo@hankyung.com