NEW DELHI, Mar 14: The United States Department of State has announced a reward of up to $10 million (over Rs 92 crore) for information on key leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps under its Rewards for Justice Program.
The reward targets individuals who command and direct various elements of the IRGC, which the US government says plans, organizes and executes terrorist activities globally. The IRGC, a branch of Iran’s official military, plays a central role in Tehran’s use of terrorism as a tool of state policy, according to the State Department.
The announcement said the IRGC has created, supported and directed multiple militant groups and is responsible for numerous attacks targeting Americans and US facilities, including incidents that have resulted in the deaths of US citizens.
Since its founding in 1979, the IRGC has gained a major role in shaping Iran’s foreign policy and now controls significant parts of the country’s economy while also exerting influence in domestic politics.
On April 15, 2019, the US designated the IRGC, including the IRGC-Quds Force, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Earlier, in 2017, the United States Department of the Treasury designated the IRGC as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 for its support to the Quds Force.
Following these designations, all IRGC assets and property under US jurisdiction were blocked, and US citizens were barred from engaging in transactions with the organisation. Providing or attempting to provide material support or resources to the IRGC is considered a criminal offence.
The reward offer seeks information on several individuals, including Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Asghar Hejazi, Yahya Rahim Safavi, Ali Larijani, Eskandar Momeni and Esmail Khatib, among others associated with the Supreme Leader’s Office, the Supreme National Security Council and various ministerial positions. (Agencies)
