US Announces $15 Million Reward For Tips On Chinese Nationals Linked To Aiding Iran

The US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program is offering up to $15 million for information on individuals supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), specifically naming several Chinese nationals.

The reward seeks to disrupt the IRGC’s financial networks, particularly its Qods Force branch.

According to an article on the US Department of State’s official website, the IRGC has been involved in funding groups such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Iran-backed militias in Iraq by supplying military equipment.

The US alleges that the named Chinese nationals have assisted the IRGC since 2007 by providing Iran with US export-controlled dual-use technology.

The Department of State states that Chinese national Emily Liu used companies in China to send US-origin electronic components to firms linked to the IRGC, supporting the development of UAVs, ballistic missile systems, and other military equipment.

In January 2024, the US Department of Justice charged Liu and three other Chinese nationals—Emma Lee, Stephen Yung, and Sydney Chung—with multiple federal offenses for their alleged involvement in these transactions.

The Rewards for Justice program has also taken to social media to encourage potential informants. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the official account stated, “These individuals illegally export U.S. high-tech parts to Iran which are used to build military armaments. Sales of these weapons help fund terrorism by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force (IRGC).”