US offers $20 million reward for information on Iran's nuclear programme

The US State Department announced a $20 million reward for anyone providing information about Iran's nuclear programme, covering facilities, equipment and associated personnel.

The department said Iran's lack of compliance with the IAEA on safeguards obligations has caused the agency to lose continuity of knowledge regarding Iran's production and inventory of key components such as nuclear centrifuges.

Centrifuges are required to create enriched uranium, which can power civilian reactors but, if enriched to roughly 90% purity, can also be used for nuclear weapons.

Speculation had grown that Washington might resume major strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, although President Trump told reporters before the vote he was in "no rush" to act.

In a Fox News interview on the eve of the midterms, Trump said the US "might need to go after Pickaxe [Mountain]", an underground site linked to Iran's nuclear programme, adding it was "not a big deal" and could be done in "one hour". He has previously threatened to bomb the site.

Both Trump and Vice‑President JD Vance have said public opposition to a war on Iran contributed to heavy losses for the Republican Party in this week's midterm elections, prompting speculation the White House may drop any escalation.

On Friday, Trump said Iran wanted to end the eight‑month conflict, noting damage to Tehran's economy and military, and claimed, "We're dealing with them now. They want to make a deal very badly."

Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman said on Tuesday that both sides were "reviewing the ideas and proposals we have presented" and remained hopeful a deal could be reached.

Iranian negotiators had discussed with mediators a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days once the US met its seven conditions.

The US and Iran reached a preliminary agreement in June to end the war and reopen the strait, but it collapsed within weeks after Iranian attacks on shipping resumed and the US reinstated its blockade.