US offers $15 million reward for information on IRGC financing networks

The US State Department has announced a reward of up to $15 million for information that helps disrupt mechanisms and financial networks linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as part of a new effort targeting the channels Tehran uses to obtain and transfer funds, according to the department.

The reward is part of the State Department’s “Rewards for Justice” program, which offers financial incentives for information that assists US authorities in identifying illicit funding sources or exposing financial and commercial networks connected to the IRGC and its Quds Force.

The US campaign focuses on tracking money flows associated with the IRGC, including front companies, exchange networks, financial transfers, and oil trade operations.

Washington says these channels provide financial resources that can be used to support the activities of the IRGC and its proxies, and is therefore seeking information to help identify individuals and entities involved in or facilitating such financing operations.

According to the State Department, information leading to the disruption of targeted financing mechanisms may qualify for the reward, enabling US authorities to take action against the networks and entities involved.

This move comes as the United States continues to tighten economic pressure on Iran by targeting institutions, companies, and intermediaries accused by Washington of facilitating money transfers or circumventing sanctions imposed on Tehran.

The US pressure campaign covers the oil, energy, and banking sectors, as well as shipping networks and financial intermediaries that Washington says assist sanctioned Iranian entities.

As part of the same pressure, the US Treasury Department has expanded its sanctions against individuals and entities linked to Iran, including financial networks and cryptocurrency trading platforms.

Washington accuses these parties of facilitating money transfers or helping sanctioned Iranian entities gain access to the international financial system.

Through the “Rewards for Justice” program, the United States aims to obtain information that could help disrupt these mechanisms, reduce the IRGC’s financial resources, and limit its ability to fund activities inside and outside Iran.