Iran’s Army Chief of Staff Amir Hatami announced on August 16, 2026, a $30,000 bounty, equivalent to 50 billion Iranian tomans, for any capture or killing of US military personnel [1, 2, 3]. The reward doubles to $60,000 if the operation is carried out by a female Iranian operative [1, 2, 3]. Hatami made the announcement in Tehran, emphasizing Iran’s stance against the presence of US forces in the region [2, 3].
"Any person who kills or captures US military personnel will receive 30,000 US dollars or 50 billion tomans from the Iranian Islamic Republic Army," Hatami said. "Brave Iranian women who carry out such actions will receive double the bounty," he added [1]. He also reiterated that US forces are no longer permitted in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, or the Strait of Hormuz [1].
The bounty plan was developed after Iran received numerous participation requests, signaling strong domestic support for targeting US forces [1, 2, 3]. Although no US ground troops are currently deployed inside Iran, besides a rescue operation for a downed US pilot in April 2026, this bounty targets US military personnel in the ongoing conflict [3, 4].
Seventeen US military personnel have died since the war began in late February 2026, but all casualties occurred outside Iranian territory in countries such as Jordan and Iraq [4, 5]. Iran has also pledged to pay double price for weapons used to kill US soldiers and to provide new weapons while keeping old ones for display, according to Iranian sources [6].
Iranian military spokesmen criticized former US President Donald Trump’s claim of declaring the Strait of Hormuz US territory. They dismissed it as nonsense and warned of military retaliation if US forces attempt to assert control [4, 6].
The conflict ignited on February 28, 2026, with a US-Israel attack on Iran, followed by a 40-day ceasefire starting in April and failed peace talks around June 2026 [5]. The announcement of the bounty marks a recent escalation in Iranian military messaging amid this ongoing war [1].
