Iran unveils sick cash prize to anyone who captures or kills American troops...as panic mounts in DC over plots to assassinate Trump

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:53, 16 August 2026 | Updated: 20:53, 16 August 2026 Iran announced a sickening cash prize to anyone who captures or kills American troops, and the price will double under one specific condition.  Iranian Army chief Amir Hatami announced the twisted trophy on Sunday, stating that 5 billion tomans ($30,000 USD) will be rewarded to anyone who slays or seizes a US troop, according to state media, Agence France-Presse (AFP).  The prize, which will be handed out by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army, will be doubled for 'courageous Iranian women' who complete the task, Hatami stated.  He did not specify where or when such attacks would occur.  The announcement comes as concerns continue to mount over Iran's assassination attempts on Trump, the Daily Mail can exclusively report.  Last week, reports came out that the president was covertly transferred out of the old Air Force One plane to another jet because of a threat on his life from Iran, the Department of Justice said.  The ruse took place while Trump departed from the NATO Summit in Turkey.  Although Trump appeared to downplay the latest attempt on his life, a source told the Daily Mail that his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, is increasingly concerned about the president's safety.  Iranian Army chief Amir Hatami announced that Iranians who capture or kill US troops will be gifted 5 billion tomans ($30,000 USD) The prize, which will be handed to individuals by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army, will be doubled for 'courageous Iranian women,' Hatami stated. (Pictured: US troops take part in a counter-landing live fire exercise in the Philippines as tensions rise with the US and Iran) Since the conflict unfolded at the end of February, 18 US service members have died.   US troops have not been deployed on the ground in Iran, other than when a rescue mission was carried out in April after a F-15E Strike Eagle fighter was shot down near the Middle Eastern country.  Both the pilot and weapons system officer inside the jet were successfully rescued alive during a multi-day US special operations mission.  Tensions have remained high since the US-Iran war broke out six months ago after America's military and Israel launched an attack on Iran. A ceasefire was announced in April, followed by a framework of peace talks in June that are still in the process of being finalized.  In the midst of the ceasefire, both American and Iranian troops have traded attacks around and near the Strait of Hormuz - a vital waterway that has been a constant point of contention amid the war.  Earlier Sunday, it was confirmed that the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has had sailors on deployment since November, will be replaced by the USS George Washington.  The new ship left its post in the Pacific to relieve sailors who, according to several reports, have been experiencing horrid conditions onboard that have led some of them to suicidal ideation.  The USS Abraham was set to return home in May, but its journey has been extended to support operations in Iran. Since the conflict unfolded at the end of February, 18 US service members have died All of this comes after Iran shot down Trump's claim that the Strait of Hormuz would soon become a US territory. He was quickly slammed by Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi over his assertion President Donald Trump sparked fury after disputing that claim, and on Saturday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Adm. Brad Cooper visited the USS Abraham. He called the crew onboard a 'strong team of high-achieving Americans standing tall with immense, justified pride in everything they accomplished.' 'History will record this deployment as one of the most operationally intense and consequential of the modern era,' Cooper said in a statement. All of this comes after Iran shot down Trump's claim that the Strait of Hormuz would soon become a US territory.  The President made the assertion during a speech at a Long Island police academy on Friday, stating: 'After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated, pretty soon, I will be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States. He added: 'We have control over it. Nobody else. Only us.' In response, Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the US has 'no authority' over the waterway that has become a flashpoint in the six-month war. 'The Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian,' he wrote on X.  Earlier Sunday, it was confirmed that the USS Abraham Lincoln (pictured), which has seen sailors on deployment since November, will be replaced by the USS George Washington 'This strait will only be closed and opened under Iran's command. The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by tweet, nor by aircraft carrier, nor by issuing an order, nor by an election speech.' He added that as long as Trump 'will not accept the reality of defeat' and stop indulging his 'delusions', Iran will continue to 'enforce its blockade' of the waterway which, before hostilities began in February, carried one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Iran launched a strike against an oil tanker in the strait on Friday, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre, which said that a vessel belonging to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company was hit by an 'unknown projectile.' No injuries were reported in the strike, which allegedly hit the vessel's hull. The strait – which links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea – is currently under the shared jurisdiction of Oman and Iran. But Trump has repeatedly insisted that he will seize ownership as part of any peace deal. The US has twice deployed a total blockade of the waterway and Trump insists vessels continue to pass through only with America's permission.