The United States Department Of states has announced a reward of up to $10million for information on Amir Yaryab, identified as the leader of the Cyber Operations Command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber Electronic Command (IRGC-CEC).
The announcement was made under the Department Of State’s Rewards for Justice Programme, operated by the Diplomatic Security Service.
According to the Us government. Yaryab occupies a senior position within Iran’s cyber operations structure and directs malicious cyber groups targeting American interests.
The Department of States said Yaryab “leads the cyber operations command for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Cyber Electronic Command”.
In this role, he directs malicious cyber groups, like Shahid Hemmat and Shahid Shushtari, to target U.S. critical infrastructure,” the department said.
The US government described the activities as part of a broader cyber threat posed by Iranian-linked actors against critical infrastructure.
The Rewards for Justice notice urged individuals with information about Yaryab, the IRGC-CEC, or associated actors and entities to provide confidential tips to US authorities.
“If you have information on Amir Yaryab, the IRGC-CEC, or associated actors and entities, send us a confidential tip via Signal or our Tor-based tip line,” the Department of State said.
The department added that individuals providing useful information “may be eligible for a reward and possible relocation.”
The announcement did not publicly disclose the specific criteria for determining the amount of the reward or the identity of potential informants.
The Rewards for Justice programme is a US government initiative that offers financial rewards for information that can help prevent or resolve threats to US national security.
The Department of State provided a telephone contact for the programme and identified the initiative as the Diplomatic Security Service Rewards for Justice.
The notice also provided a Tor-based tip line for individuals seeking to submit information through a secure channel.
The US government’s decision to offer a reward for information on Yaryab comes amid heightened concerns over cyber activities attributed to Iranian state-linked groups and their targeting of critical infrastructure.
The Department of State specifically named Shahid Hemmat and Shahid Shushtari among the groups allegedly directed by Yaryab.
The notice identified Yaryab by name and linked him to the IRGC-CEC, placing him at the centre of the US allegations concerning the cyber activities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The US government urged anyone with credible information concerning Yaryab or the wider cyber network associated with him to come forward through the confidential channels provided.
This development comes amid the conflict between Iran and the United States of America government.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that President Trump suggested renaming the Strait of Hormuz “Trump Strait”, claiming that the strategically important waterway is now under the control of the United States amid escalating military confrontation with Iran.
Trump made the suggestion in a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday.
“Now that we have it under U.S.A. control, should we change the name Hormuz Strait to TRUMP STRAIT??? Like America itself, it would be ‘hotter’ than ever before! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP,” he wrote.
The conflict between both countries which also includes Israel has gone on for months leading to destructions and death.
