Before the Negotiation Deadline, Iran Offers Rewards for Capturing U.S. Troops

[Global Times Comprehensive Report] The 60-day negotiation window set by the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran expired on the 17th. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei stated that Iran will never adjust its policies under "pressure, ultimatums, or time limits." According to the Iranian news agency, Iranian Army Chief of Staff Hatami announced a bounty program against U.S. troops on the 16th: anyone who kills "invading American soldiers" or captures and hands them over will receive a reward of about $30,000; if the action is carried out by Iranian women, the reward will be doubled. Hatami stated that the program was developed after receiving "a large number of requests for participation."

Regarding the bounty issued against Iran, CBS News reported that there are currently no signs indicating that the U.S. has deployed ground troops to Iran during this Middle Eastern conflict. Since the outbreak of hostilities, 17 U.S. military personnel have died (the most recent case occurred in July), but all were outside of Iran.

While announcing the bounty program, Hatami also issued a stern military and diplomatic warning to the United States. He reiterated the demand for the U.S. to withdraw from the Middle East and close related military bases, clearly stating that the U.S. "will no longer be permitted to enter the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz," and that Iran is fully prepared to defend this strategic waterway. Hatami's tough stance responded to U.S. President Trump's earlier claim that he "plans to declare the Strait of Hormuz as U.S. territory."

Currently, the fragile ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran is facing severe tests, with exchanges of fire still occurring in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas. Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has effectively closed this globally important energy passage and has repeatedly emphasized that the strait will remain under Iranian control. Iran has also linked the reopening of the strait to a series of demands, including U.S. payment of war reparations, further reducing the likelihood of reaching an agreement in the near term.

On the 17th, U.S. President Trump stated in an interview with Fox News that despite Iran's "open display of confrontation," the "private communication channels" with Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials remain open. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard immediately refuted this, claiming Trump's statement is a "delusion." Revolutionary Guard spokesman Mohibbi stated on the 17th that Revolutionary Guard officials have not engaged in dialogue with the U.S. through secret channels. (Chen Jia)