The United States government has placed a $10 million reward on information that could help locate Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, in a move that signals rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.
The announcement was made on Friday, March 13, 2026, by the United States Department of State through its Rewards for Justice Program. The programme is offering financial incentives and possible relocation assistance to individuals who provide credible intelligence about the whereabouts of Mojtaba Khamenei and other senior Iranian officials.
U.S. authorities say the targeted individuals are believed to be connected to international operations linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which Washington has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed Iran’s top leadership position in March 2026 following the reported death of his father, Ali Khamenei. The longtime Iranian leader was reportedly killed during joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes carried out on February 28 amid escalating hostilities in the region.
Sources familiar with the situation say the new Iranian leader may have been injured during the same strikes and has made few public appearances since then. Most of his communications have been limited to written statements.
Security analysts say the reward offer appears to be part of Washington’s strategy to increase pressure on Iran’s leadership network during the ongoing Middle East conflict. However, critics argue that such actions could heighten already fragile tensions and risk further destabilizing the region.