- Iran's military announced on Sunday (August 16, 2026) that it was offering a bounty equivalent to $30,000 for killing or capturing U.S. soldiers, with the reward doubled if carried out by a woman.
- Mr. Hatami repeated Iran's call for the U.S. to leave West Asia, and said: "They no longer have permission to enter the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz."
Iran's military has declared a bounty of $30,000 for the killing or capture of U.S. soldiers, with the amount doubled for women, as stated by Army chief Amir Hatami.1
Hatami noted that this initiative was in response to a "large number of requests" from the public, emphasizing the Islamic Republic's commitment to defending its sovereignty.
"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 stated, highlighting the informal unit of currency used in Iran.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions following the outbreak of war between Tehran and Washington on February 28, triggered by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Hatami reiterated Iran's demand for U.S. forces to withdraw from West Asia, declaring, "They no longer have permission to enter the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz."2
The conflict has seen no known deployment of U.S. ground forces in Iran, apart from a rescue mission in April for a downed American airman.
The war was paused by an April ceasefire after nearly 40 days of fighting, but subsequent peace talks have failed to yield results.
“The bounty was announced by Iran's military on Sunday, August 16, 2026, and doubles to $60,000 if carried out by a woman. Defense Minister Hatami reiterated Iran's demand for the U.S. to withdraw from West Asia, barring entry to key waterways.”
