The United States has announced a major new incentive aimed at disrupting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with a reward of up to $15 million for information on its financial operations. The IRGC financial reward program was introduced by the U.S. Department of State under its long-running Rewards for Justice initiative. Officials say the goal is to weaken the economic networks that support the IRGC and its regional activities.
The program focuses on gathering intelligence that could help identify and dismantle key financial channels linked to the organization. These include hidden oil trading routes, front companies, banking systems, and digital platforms used to move money across borders. U.S. officials say the IRGC relies on complex methods to bypass international sanctions and fund its operations.
One major area of concern is what officials describe as a “shadow fleet” of oil tankers. These vessels are allegedly used to transport Iranian oil while avoiding sanctions enforcement. Authorities are seeking information on the companies and individuals involved in organizing these shipments, as well as the routes used to move oil to foreign markets.
The program also targets financial institutions believed to facilitate transactions for the IRGC. This includes banks, currency exchange businesses, and other intermediaries that may help move funds through global financial systems. Officials say cutting off access to legitimate financial services is a key strategy in reducing the group’s operational capacity.
Another focus is the use of cryptocurrency. U.S. authorities say digital currencies are increasingly being used to hide the movement of funds linked to sanctioned groups. The reward program seeks information on crypto wallets, exchanges, and platforms that may be used to transfer or conceal money connected to IRGC activities.
In addition, the program is asking for intelligence on how money and supplies are delivered to Iran-backed groups operating in different parts of the Middle East. These groups are seen by U.S. officials as part of a wider network supported financially or logistically by the IRGC.
The State Department says the reward initiative is designed to generate actionable intelligence. Information provided through the program could help U.S. agencies identify key actors and disrupt financial pipelines supporting the organization. Officials emphasize that all tips are reviewed carefully and can be submitted anonymously.
The IRGC has long been under U.S. sanctions, and Washington has repeatedly accused it of funding and coordinating activities with allied groups across the region. The new reward program is part of broader efforts to increase economic pressure and limit the group’s ability to operate internationally.
Supporters of the initiative say financial disruption is one of the most effective ways to weaken sanctioned organizations. By targeting money flows, authorities aim to reduce the resources available for military, political, or logistical operations linked to the IRGC.
However, such programs often rely heavily on intelligence from private individuals, businesses, or insiders familiar with financial systems. Experts say this can be challenging, as networks are often complex and designed to avoid detection. Still, U.S. officials believe that financial tracking and international cooperation have become increasingly effective tools in recent years.
The Rewards for Justice program has previously been used to target terrorist financing and other global security threats. It offers monetary compensation to individuals who provide verified information that leads to disruption or arrests related to designated groups.
The announcement comes amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, with both sides continuing to accuse each other of destabilizing actions in the region. Financial sanctions and intelligence operations remain central tools in U.S. policy toward Tehran.
For now, the $15 million IRGC financial reward program signals a continued push by Washington to apply pressure through economic intelligence gathering. Officials say they are encouraging anyone with relevant information on financial networks, oil smuggling, or digital transactions to come forward and assist ongoing investigations.
