WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran, the United States Department of State has officially placed a $10 million bounty on several high-ranking Iranian officials. The reward, issued under the Rewards for Justice Program, specifically targets individuals described as "terrorist leaders" within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Among the primary targets is Mojtaba Khamenei, the influential son of the Supreme Leader, along with other top-tier figures. The U.S. government is not only offering a life-changing financial sum but has also promised informant relocation services to whistleblowers who provide credible intelligence that leads to the disruption of IRGC operations.
The State Department’s notice, disseminated via its official social media channels, identifies a group of men accused of commanding and directing global terrorism. The list includes:
Esmail Khatib (Minister of Intelligence),
Ali Asghar Hejazi (Deputy Chief of Staff),
Major-General Yahya Rahim Safavi,
Brigadier General Eskandar Momeni, and Ali Larijani (Secretary to the Supreme Council)
The announcement comes at a tense moment, as Ali Larijani was reportedly seen participating in Quds Day protests in Tehran just hours before the bounty was publicized, signaling a defiant stance from the Iranian leadership despite the mounting pressure.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump, speaking in the early hours of Friday, expressed a stark and controversial pride in the ongoing military campaign. Addressing the nation as the 47th President, Trump characterized the Iranian leadership as "deranged scumbags" who have spent 47 years destabilizing the globe.
"They've been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I... am killing them. What a great honor it is to do so!" Trump posted on social media. He claimed that the Iranian military is currently being "decimated" and that several top figures have already been "wiped from the face of the earth" since the conflict intensified on February 28, 2026.
President Trump also took aim at media coverage of the war, suggesting that some reports have failed to capture the extent of U.S. and Israeli military dominance. He warned that skeptical coverage might lead the public to "incorrectly think that we are not winning," while insisting that Iran’s armed forces are suffering catastrophic losses.
The President’s rhetoric suggests an uncompromising stance, with no current room for diplomatic de-escalation. His posts on Truth Social warned of "unparalleled firepower" and "unlimited ammunition," advising the world to "watch what happens" as military operations continue.
Adding to the President’s warnings, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Friday would see a massive surge in aerial operations. Speaking at a press conference, Hegseth described the planned strikes as the highest volume of bombardment since the war began.
"Today will be yet again, the highest volume of strikes that America has put over the skies of Iran and Tehran," Hegseth stated. This strategic shift toward maximum pressure indicates a goal of total air superiority and the systematic destruction of Iranian command and control centers.
Beyond the immediate tactical goals, President Trump reiterated his long-standing opposition to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He also highlighted the economic dimensions of the war, boasting of America's status as the world’s largest oil producer.
Trump suggested that the United States is uniquely positioned to weather the economic fallout of the conflict. He noted that if crude oil prices continue to rise due to the instability in the Middle East, the U.S. would paradoxically profit, further strengthening its wartime economy while Iran's resources are choked off.
The introduction of a $10 million bounty and the promise of relocation for whistleblowers represents a "shadow war" tactic being brought into the light. By targeting the inner circle of the Iranian regime, the U.S. is betting on internal fractures and the lure of a new life abroad to dismantle the IRGC from within. As the heaviest strikes to date begin over Tehran, the world watches to see if this combination of massive firepower and financial incentives will bring the conflict to a swift conclusion.