Washington, D.C. — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is offering a substantial $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Monica Elfriede Witt, a former U.S. Air Force counterintelligence agent accused of defecting to Iran and disclosing highly sensitive national defense information.
The reward was announced on May 14, 2026, underscoring the ongoing nature of the case and the U.S. government’s commitment to holding accountable those who betray national secrets. Witt remains at large and is believed to be living in Iran, where she has reportedly continued to assist Iranian intelligence efforts.
A Career in Intelligence Turned Alleged Betrayal
Born on April 8, 1979, in El Paso, Texas, Monica Witt served in the U.S. Air Force from 1997 to 2008 as an intelligence specialist and counterintelligence agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. She later continued her work as a government contractor until 2010, gaining access to classified information at the SECRET and TOP SECRET levels, including the identities of U.S. undercover intelligence personnel.
According to a 2019 federal indictment, Witt defected to Iran in 2013 after participating in conferences there. Prosecutors allege she provided Iranian authorities with classified U.S. national defense information, including details of sensitive intelligence programs. She is further accused of assisting Iran in targeting her former American colleagues and their families, conducting research to support these efforts, and aiding the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia indicted Witt in February 2019 on two major charges:
- Conspiracy to deliver national defense information to a foreign government (Iran).
- Delivering national defense information to a foreign government.
Witt, who speaks Farsi and has used aliases such as Fatemah Zahra and Narges Witt, is considered an international flight risk. The FBI warns that she has likely continued supporting Iranian activities against the United States.
Physical Description and Identification
Witt is described as a white female, approximately 5’6″ tall and weighing around 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown (or hazel) eyes. She was born in the United States and holds American nationality.
How to Report Information
Anyone with information about Monica Witt’s whereabouts or activities is urged to contact the FBI immediately. Tips can be submitted by:
- Calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
- Visiting the FBI tips website at tips.fbi.gov
- Contacting a local FBI office or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate
Full details, including the official wanted poster, are available on the FBI’s website.
The case highlights persistent counterintelligence threats posed by foreign adversaries, particularly amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions. The FBI has emphasized that it has not forgotten about Witt or similar cases, and the significant reward is intended to generate new leads in what remains an active investigation.
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