TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called on the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn a US offer of up to $20 million in rewards for information about Iran’s nuclear program, warning that the move threatens the security of the country’s nuclear facilities, equipment and scientific personnel.
In a letter dated November 10 to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the UN Security Council Sanita Pav?uta-Deslandes, and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi, Araghchi denounced the US initiative as an attempt to encourage espionage targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and scientific community.
The offer, publicly announced on November 6–7 through the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program and promoted by US Central Command (CENTCOM), reportedly includes financial rewards of up to $20 million and possible relocation in exchange for information concerning Iran’s nuclear facilities, equipment, materials and personnel.
Araghchi described the initiative as particularly alarming because it explicitly solicits intelligence on nuclear installations and individuals engaged in peaceful nuclear activities, potentially exposing them to espionage, sabotage and targeted attacks.
He stressed that Iran’s right to develop, research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is enshrined in Article IV of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which recognizes the inalienable right of its parties to pursue peaceful nuclear activities in conformity with their…
