An Iran-backed militia umbrella group, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has released a statement offering a purported $10 million reward for the assassination of US President Donald Trump. The group cited the 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy head of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), as the justification for the bounty.
Bounty Announcement Details
The announcement, issued on July 16, 2026, holds Trump directly responsible for the deaths of Soleimani and al-Muhandis. It claims the reward money was raised through donations from supporters and urges individuals, groups, or organizations to execute or assist in the assassination. The group stated that it is offering the $10 million bounty to “whoever kills the criminal Trump, or whoever eliminates him personally, directs others to do so, or facilitates it as an individual, group, organisation or institution.”
Retribution for 2020 Strike
The statement frames the threat as retribution for the January 2020 strike near Baghdad International Airport, accusing the US President of “arrogance and aggression.” Referencing the deceased commanders as "martyred commanders," the text asserts that their deaths demand qisas, or legal retribution, quoting Qur’an 2:179. In addition to the financial bounty, the militia group warned that Trump “will never enjoy the taste of safety,” promising to continuously pursue those responsible for the 2020 strike.
Threats and Vows
The statement concluded with a vow that "the blood of the martyrs will remain a curse" until the targeted parties are defeated. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq is a coalition of Iran-backed militias that have previously targeted US forces in the region. The bounty announcement raises significant security concerns for Trump and highlights ongoing tensions stemming from the 2020 drone strike.
