The Federal Bureau of Investigation has announced a $200,000 reward for information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of former US Air Force counterintelligence specialist Monica Elfriede Witt, who is accused of spying for Iran.
Witt, 47, was charged by a federal grand jury in February 2019 with several offenses, including the transfer of national defense information to the Iranian government.
Authorities say she remains a fugitive.
According to the FBI, Witt defected to Iran in 2013 and allegedly handed classified intelligence to the government in Tehran.
“Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defecting to Iran and providing the Iranian regime with national defense information, and likely continues to support their nefarious activities,” Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, said.
“The FBI has not forgotten and believes that during this critical moment in Iran’s history, there is someone who knows something about her whereabouts,” he added.
Witt served in the US Air Force between 1997 and 2008, where she received Farsi language training and participated in classified counterintelligence operations overseas, including assignments in the Middle East. Following her military service, she worked as a contractor for the Department of Defense.
US officials allege that Witt later defected after attending two fully funded conferences in Iran, which the Justice Department described as events promoting anti-Western propaganda and criticizing American values.
Prosecutors said Witt had previously been cautioned by the FBI regarding her activities before traveling back to Iran. She allegedly assured investigators that she would not disclose sensitive information related to her work if she returned to the country.
The FBI stated that Witt’s actions jeopardized “sensitive and classified US national defense information and programs.”
“Witt allegedly intentionally provided information endangering US personnel and their families stationed abroad,” the bureau said. “She also allegedly conducted research on behalf of the Iranian regime to allow them to target her former colleagues in the US government.”
The FBI’s renewed appeal comes amid conflicting reports surrounding a fragile ceasefire between Tehran and Washington. On Friday, US President Donald Trump said the United States and Iran had reached several understandings, although Iranian officials later denied the claims. Trump also stated he would support a deal in which Iran suspends uranium enrichment activities for 20 years.
