$20 Million US Nuclear Bounty Sparks Diplomatic Row As Iran Seeks UN Intervention
By ANDERSON CLIFF
Araghchi Takes Protest to International Institutions
IRAN has escalated its diplomatic protest against Washington’s latest intelligence initiative, asking the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn a US offer of up to $20 million for information about its nuclear programme.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the appeal in a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the President of the UN Security Council and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
Dated November 10, the letter described the American announcement as an alarming attempt to obtain confidential information about Iran’s nuclear installations, equipment and personnel. Accordingly, Araghchi demanded an unequivocal response from the three international officials.
The US State Department announced the reward through its Rewards for Justice programme on November 6. The offer includes up to $20 million and possible relocation for information concerning Iran’s nuclear facilities, equipment and associated personnel, including scientists and technical specialists. CENTCOM subsequently amplified the announcement.
Scientists & Nuclear Facilities at the Centre of Iran’s Concerns
According to Araghchi, the American offer could encourage espionage and expose Iranian scientists to intimidation, sabotage and assassination.
He argued that publicly seeking information about nuclear facilities and personnel could create additional security risks, particularly where the installations fall under international safeguards.
Moreover, the minister questioned whether normal cooperation with the IAEA could continue if confidential inspection information became vulnerable to intelligence exploitation. He warned that such circumstances could weaken confidence in the agency’s monitoring responsibilities.
Araghchi therefore urged the IAEA to protect information obtained during inspections and prevent its use for purposes inconsistent with the organisation’s mandate.
Tehran Appeals to International Law
The Iranian foreign minister also based his protest on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. He cited Article IV, which recognises the right of states to develop and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, subject to their international obligations.
Consequently, he called on the UN Security Council to examine the implications of the US announcement for international peace and security.
He further urged the council to address the threats Iran believes the initiative poses to its nuclear installations, equipment and scientific personnel. In addition, he asked the international body to hold Washington accountable for what Tehran described as unlawful actions.
IAEA Director General Faces Calls for Action
Araghchi directed a separate appeal to Grossi, asking him to reaffirm the confidentiality, impartiality and institutional independence of the IAEA’s safeguards activities.
He also requested that the agency take measures to prevent sensitive information from being disclosed or misused. Furthermore, he urged Grossi to present the matter to the IAEA Board of Governors for consideration.
The appeal highlights Iran’s concern that intelligence gathering involving protected nuclear installations could compromise the integrity of international inspection arrangements.
Washington & Tehran Remain Far Apart
The dispute adds another layer to the prolonged confrontation between the United States and Iran over nuclear development, sanctions and regional security.
Washington has maintained that its reward programme serves American national security interests. Its announcement also cited concerns about Iran’s safeguards obligations and gaps in the international monitoring of components of the country’s nuclear programme.
However, Tehran insists that its nuclear activities are peaceful and that its facilities and scientific personnel should not face threats arising from intelligence operations.
Despite diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions following the 28 February military offensive against Iran, the two governments remain divided over the conditions for a durable settlement.
For now, Araghchi’s appeal places the UN Security Council and the IAEA under renewed diplomatic pressure to address the competing concerns surrounding nuclear transparency, international safeguards and the protection of sensitive facilities and personnel.
