Iran says forces stronger as US offers nuclear reward

Iran said Saturday its armed forces were stronger than at the start of its war with the United States, as Washington offered a $20 million reward for information about Tehran's nuclear programme.

Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Iran had gained experience from direct confrontation with the United States and Israel, and that its forces were on higher alert and had greater confidence, state news agency IRNA reported.

Akraminia said Iran retained control of the Strait of Hormuz and that it would remain closed until Tehran's demands were met by the United States. The waterway normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption.

The US military said Friday it was offering a $20 million reward “and possible relocation” for information about Iran's nuclear programme. US Central Command said the State Department's Rewards for Justice programme was seeking information on facilities, equipment and associated personnel, including people in the scientific community.

The State Department said Iran's lack of compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards obligations had led the agency to lose “continuity of knowledge” about Iran's production and inventory of key components including centrifuges. It did not specify what type of information would qualify for the $20 million reward.

US President Donald Trump repeated Friday that US forces had effectively destroyed Iran's nuclear programme. He also said Iran's economy and military had been severely damaged during the eight-month war and that Tehran wanted a deal.

Trump called Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Friday to discuss efforts to end the war. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said this week his government was still trying to resolve the crisis through dialogue.

Early Saturday, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that two missiles had struck Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iranian state television reported two explosions on the island. Iran's army later said its air defences had “struck and destroyed” a US drone flying over the island, according to state media. It did not say whether the island had been attacked.