Iran offers $30,000 bounty for killing or capturing US soldiers

Iranian Army chief Amir Hatami has announced a $30,000 reward for anyone who kills or captures a US soldier, with the bounty rising to $60,000 if the act is carried out by an Iranian woman.

The announcement comes amid continued tensions between Tehran and Washington, despite there being no known deployment of US ground troops inside Iran, Caliber.Az reprots, citing foreign media.

Hatami said the initiative was developed following "the large number of requests" from people wanting to participate. He did not specify where or when US personnel could potentially be targeted.

"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," he noted, referring to an informal monetary unit equal to 10,000 Iranian rials.

"Courageous Iranian women who carry out such an action will receive double the reward," Hatami added.

Iranian army chief also renewed Tehran’s demand for US forces to leave the region, saying "they no longer have permission to enter the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz".

Despite the ceasefire, Iran and the US continue to clash sporadically, particularly around southern Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. After nearly 40 days of fighting, an April ceasefire was reached, while a framework for peace talks agreed in June later collapsed.

There has been no known deployment of US ground forces inside Iran during the conflict, apart from a rescue mission in April involving US personnel sent to recover the weapons systems officer of a downed F-15.

According to reports, 17 US military personnel have been killed since the conflict began. All reported deaths occurred outside Iran, including in Iraq and Jordan, with the latest casualties reported in July.

Meanwhile, Tehran and Washington continue indirect communications through mediators, with the Strait of Hormuz and waters around southern Iran remaining major points of tension.

The bounty announcement adds to the increasingly hostile rhetoric between the two countries as efforts continue to prevent the conflict from widening.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov