Iran has reacted sharply to the United States' offer of a reward of up to $20 million for anyone providing information on Iran's nuclear program, describing the initiative as "disgusting." Tehran has turned to the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), demanding condemnation of the American initiative, which was made public last week. Meanwhile, through a statement by the head of the National Security Council, Iran has warned that it will not allow the removal of enriched materials from its territory and that any new American attack will be met with a response.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called on the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council and the IAEA Director General to condemn the US announcement in the strongest possible terms.

On Friday, the US military announced it would offer a reward of up to $20 million, as well as the possibility of relocation to a safe location, for people who provide information on facilities, equipment and personnel related to Iran's nuclear program. Tehran considers the initiative an attempt to obtain confidential information and expose Iranian scientists and personnel to security risks. Iran denies that it seeks to acquire nuclear weapons, insisting that its program has peaceful purposes and that the country has the right to use nuclear energy. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the US has effectively destroyed Iran's nuclear program through attacks on key infrastructure during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025.

Since then, Tehran has refused to allow IAEA inspectors access to its nuclear facilities. Even during the new war, which broke out in late February after US-Israeli attacks on Iran, Iranian nuclear facilities were again targeted. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts mediated by Qatar and Pakistan continue with the aim of ending the conflict. Tehran mainly demands that Washington release Iranian assets blocked abroad and lift sanctions, in exchange for opening the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important corridor for global energy trade.

Iran insists that discussions on its nuclear program should only take place in a second phase of negotiations. In another statement, the head of Iran's National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, stressed that Tehran would not allow any amount of enriched material to leave the country. He also warned that any new attack on the Islamic Republic would have consequences for the United States, stressing that the Iranian response would include striking American bases at long range.

According to Rezaei, there are currently no negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Meanwhile, two Iranian sources have reported that Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has issued a decree prohibiting the export of highly enriched uranium. According to IAEA estimates, as of June 2025, Iran possessed 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, a concentration much higher than that required for civilian uses.

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