Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn a U.S. reward offer, warning it could threaten nuclear workers and undermine safeguards.
The letter, dated Nov. 10, was addressed to the U.N. secretary-general, the president of the Security Council and IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi. Iran’s official IRNA news agency published it. Araghchi asked the officials to “openly and unequivocally condemn” the offer, the letter says.
The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program advertises payments of up to $20 million, with relocation also possible, for information related to Iran’s nuclear program. The program lists nuclear sites and equipment, people connected with the program and movements involving them among the subjects for tips.
Araghchi said seeking such information could encourage espionage and put scientists, technical staff and facilities at risk. He also argued that pursuing details about sites monitored under IAEA safeguards could weaken confidence in the agency’s work. The letter asks Grossi to protect information collected during inspections and bring the matter before the IAEA Board of Governors.
The appeal comes amid an unresolved verification gap. In a Sept. 1, 2026, report, the IAEA said it could not establish the current size, composition or whereabouts of Iran’s declared enriched-uranium stockpile. EconoTimes previously covered the U.K.’s call for Iran to restore IAEA inspectors’ access to nuclear sites.
