The offer is essentially a massive inducement to Iranians to help the United States embarrass the Islamic Republic.
The wanted man is Ezzeddin Abd al-Aziz Khalil, also known as Yasin as-Suri. The State Department identified him in July as a major fund-raiser and operative for Al-Qaeda who is based in Iran and operates with the knowledge and support of the Islamic Republic.
The State Department said he raises funds primarily in the Persian Gulf Arab states.
It said he moves money and recruits through Iran and on to Pakistan and Afghanistan under a 2005 agreement between Iran and Al-Qaeda.
Suri is a Syrian by both. He will turn 30 next year. He has black hair and brown eyes and has used many aliases.
Residents of Iran can find a photo and a description on the Internet at “http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/Suri” www.rewardsforjustice.net/Suri.
The Rewards for Justice program was created in 1984 to try to track down terrorists. It has so far paid out more than $100 million to more than 70 people who have provided information that either put terrorists behind bars or prevented acts of terrorism.
Three days after Washington offered the reward, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast called the State Department assertion that Suri was working in Iran “completely baseless.”
Mehman-Parast said, “The world should consider the consequences of such irresponsible behavior by American officials.… It is also necessary that the international community show its deep concerns to the American government.”