The US Central Command declared a reward of up to $20 million for information regarding Iran’s nuclear program on Friday.
The US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, on late Friday announced that the United States was offering “a reward of up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear program, including its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as those in the scientific community, or the movement of any of the above.”
The development has come post US midterm election results which saw of rout of the Republicans, with many analysts saying the unpopular war with Iran was the reason. In the days since Republicans’ shellacking at the polls, Trump has vacillated between threatening to “destroy” Iran and suggesting a resolution to the war is near.
The electoral setback — Republicans lost both chambers of Congress — was stoked in part by voter dissatisfaction with Trump’s execution of the conflict and elevated fuel prices, a byproduct of the war that’s affected nearly every sector of the global economy.
Post the results, the future of Iran war is still not clear. There is no clarity as to whether Trump would go on defensive and strike a deal with Tehran or launch an all out attack.
New Nuke Proposals, Iran Hesitent To Go Ahead
Amidst, Qatar has presented new proposals to Iranian officials.
Earlier Friday, two Middle East government officials said Iran was reviewing proposals presented by chief mediator Qatar aimed at addressing differences with the United States about Tehran’s nuclear program.
But one of the officials stressed that the Iranians, at least at the moment, remain unwilling to engage in negotiations with the Trump administration over their atomic activities until the US agrees to several core conditions that Iran has been demanding be part of any ceasefire agreement.
Iran Demands Concessions Before Nuclear Talks
The White House declined to comment about the Qatari-presented proposals on Iran’s nuclear program, but Trump noted earlier Friday in an exchange with reporters that mediators’ discussions with Iran continue.
“We are talking to Iran. We have been,” said Trump, who insists the U.S. military remains in control of the conflict with a battered Iran.
