US offers €17m for details on Iran's nuclear programme

The United States is offering a $20 million (€17.9m) reward "and possible relocation" for information about Iran's nuclear programme, the US military said, as President Donald Trump reiterated Tehran wants to make a deal to end the war.

Mediators have been working to prevent any resumption of fighting after months of deadlock in the Middle East conflict, which began when the United States and Israel attacked Iran in late February.

Tehran has sought to limit traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption.

The offer of a reward comes as Iranian state media reported that Iran's military is "stronger" and more motivated than it was when the United States and Israel started the war in February.

Iranian army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said Iran retained control over the strategic waterway and that it would remain closed until its demands were met by the United States.

He also said Iran's forces had grown stronger and more confident, state news agency IRNA reported.

"Today, the Islamic Republic's armed forces ... having gained experience from direct confrontation with the United States and the Israeli regime, are on higher alert and are stronger than they were at the beginning of the war," he said.

He added: "They now possess greater motivation, commitment and self confidence.

"Under the order of the supreme leader, the response of the armed forces will be immediate, effective and without geographical limitations.

The US has offered up to $20m (€17.9m) and the possibility of relocation for information about Iran's nuclear programme.

A State Department programme, known as Rewards for Justice, "is offering a reward of up to $20m and possible relocation for information" about Iran's nuclear programme, including its facilities, equipment and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community, US Central Command said on X.

The programme was established in 1984 under the State Department's national security rewards programme to offer rewards for information that protects American lives and interests.

In its statement about the reward, the State Department said Iran's "lack of compliance" with the International Atomic Energy Agency on safeguard obligations has led "to the agency's loss of continuity of knowledge regarding Iran's production and inventory of key components like centrifuges".

It gave no specific parameters on what information would yield the reward.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that US forces have effectively obliterated Iran's nuclear programme.

"If we didn't hit Iran, you wouldn't have Israel today," Mr Trump said yesterday.

"If they had nuclear, they would have used nuclear. They would have obliterated the Middle East," he added.

But the US president also said Iran was eager to end the conflict, adding that its economy and military had been severely damaged over eight months of war.

"We're dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly," he said.

Mr Trump called Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani yesterday to discuss efforts to end the war.

Diplomatic efforts by mediators have been ongoing in an attempt to prevent any resumption of fighting.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said this week his government was still trying to resolve the crisis through dialogue.