Iran offers bounty for US soldiers amid war preparations

On August 17, 2026, reports emerged that Iran's army chief has offered a $30,000 bounty for killing or capturing U.S. soldiers, with double the reward if carried out by women. This comes as Iranian hard-liners prepare for a longer and costlier war with the United States, fearing that ongoing peace talks are a cover for an Israeli attack. According to reports, Iran expects both the U.S. and Israel to escalate conflict and is therefore preparing for a wider war. The bounty and military preparations signal a significant escalation in tensions between Iran and the U.S.