Task Force Iron Gate focuses on sanctioned material and weapons movements
The State Department announced the reward through its Rewards for Justice program, saying the money was available for information about the Iranian program, including “facilities, equipment and associated personnel”. The program is also offering to potentially relocate the person who provides the details.
In a statement, the department said Iran’s “lack of compliance with the IAEA [the International Atomic Energy Agency] on safeguards obligations has led to the agency’s loss of ‘continuity of knowledge’ regarding Iran’s production and inventory of key components like [nuclear] centrifuges”.
Centrifuges are needed to produce enriched uranium, which can be used to make reactor fuel for civilian use but also for nuclear weapons if enriched to around 90% purity or higher.
Central Command said Task Force Iron Gate would operate from Tampa, Florida, and work with other US government agencies. The task force would enhance US efforts to restrict Iran’s movement of weapons and sanctioned material across its borders. Beyond weapons, the task force will also focus on dual-use and illegal revenue streams.
Separately, Central Command estimated that its naval blockade of Iran’s ports has prevented the country from exporting more than $25 billion in crude oil.
Trump claimed last year that Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “completely and totally obliterated” following a bombing campaign by the US and Israel. Related BBC News coverage reported that Trump characterized the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as a “spectacular success”. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and that it has no intention of developing a nuclear weapon.
Related BBC News coverage said that restricted satellite images, once released, revealed Iranian nuclear and military damage. Another related item said satellite images suggested that major construction was ongoing near Iranian missile bases.
Related BBC News coverage also reported that the US struck an Iranian island ahead of the midterm elections. Separately, there had been mounting speculation that the US might resume significant strikes in Iran after the midterm elections, though Trump told reporters before the polls that he was in “no rush” to do so.
In a Fox News interview on the eve of the midterms, Trump said the US “might need to go after Pickaxe [Mountain]”, an underground site linked to Iran’s nuclear program. He said striking the site was “not a big deal” and could be done in “one hour”. The president has repeatedly threatened to bomb the suspected underground site.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance have both said public opposition to the war fueled heavy losses for the Republican Party in this week’s midterm elections. The statements have led to speculation the White House may no longer seek an escalation in the conflict.
On Friday, Trump insisted that Iran was keen to end the eight-month conflict with the US, stressing the damage to Tehran’s economy and military. “We’re dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly,” he said.
Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday that both sides were “reviewing the ideas and proposals we have presented” and that Qatar remained hopeful of a deal being agreed.
Iranian negotiators had discussed with mediators a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days once the US met its seven conditions. The US and Iran reached a preliminary agreement to end the war and reopen the strait in June, but it collapsed within weeks after Iranian attacks on shipping resumed and the US reinstated its blockade.