U.S. Offers $15 Million Reward for Information Leading to the 'Disruption of the Financial Mechanisms' of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard

The United States on Thursday expanded its economic pressure campaign against Iran by announcing new sanctions targeting networks linked to Iranian oil sales and offering up to $15 million for information that could disrupt the financial operations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The measures were announced by the U.S. State Department, Treasury Department and the State Department's Rewards for Justice program as Washington continues negotiations with Tehran over a possible extension of the current ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

The State Department said through a statement that the United States was taking "coordinated action to sever the Iranian regime's access to the revenue streams that fuel its regional aggression and global terrorism." The department announced sanctions against multiple entities, individuals and vessels accused of helping transport Iranian petroleum and petrochemical products tied to the IRGC and Iran's military apparatus.

At the same time, the Treasury Department sanctioned what it described as an oil sales network involving Hong Kong-based entities that allegedly facilitated the storage, transport and sale of "tens of millions of barrels" of Iranian oil worth billions of dollars.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures were part of Washington's effort to prevent Tehran from using oil revenue to rebuild military capabilities damaged during the conflict that began in February.

Separately, the Rewards for Justice program announced a reward "of up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of the financial mechanisms" of the IRGC and its branches, including the IRGC-Qods Force.

The program said it was seeking information about "front companies engaged in international activity on the IRGC's behalf," sanctions evasion schemes, financial facilitators and networks involved in transferring funds and materials to groups including Hamas and Hezbollah.

The IRGC was designated by the State Department as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2019. The Treasury Department had previously designated the group as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.

The announcements came amid continued tensions despite a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran that took effect in April. Iranian officials this week accused the United States of violating the truce after new U.S. strikes in southern Iran targeted missile launch sites and boats allegedly attempting to place mines near the Strait of Hormuz.

On Wednesday, a senior IRGC naval official said "the possibility of war is low because of the enemy's weakness," while warning Iran remained prepared for renewed conflict. Iranian officials have also denied U.S. reports that negotiators had reached a preliminary agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and extend the ceasefire.