The FBI announced Thursday a $200,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Monica Witt, a former U.S. Air Force counterintelligence agent accused of betraying her colleagues and endangering American personnel and their families by allegedly providing classified national defense information to Iran's government.
Witt, 47, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia in February 2019 on espionage charges, including transmitting national defense information to the Iranian government. According to the FBI Washington Field Office, she allegedly defected to Iran in 2013 and has been providing intelligence that places sensitive U.S. programs and the safety of government personnel at risk.
Access to Classified Intelligence
Witt served as an active-duty U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist and special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations between 1997 and 2008, then continued working as a U.S. government contractor until 2010. Her military service and contracting work gave her access to secret and top secret information relating to foreign intelligence and counterintelligence, including the true names of U.S. Intelligence Community undercover personnel, the FBI said.
Officials allege that Witt intentionally provided information endangering U.S. personnel and their families stationed abroad and conducted research on behalf of the Iranian regime to allow it to target her former colleagues in the U.S. government. The bureau said her defection has benefited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which it described as having elements responsible for intelligence collection, unconventional warfare and direct support to multiple terrorist organizations targeting U.S. citizens and interests.
Personnel and Families at Risk
The alleged betrayal goes beyond abstract national security concerns—the FBI says Witt's actions directly endangered American government employees and their families serving overseas. By allegedly providing classified information and conducting targeting research for Iran, Witt is accused of putting real people in harm's way, undermining the safety protections that should safeguard those who serve their country.
Daniel Wierzbicki, special agent in charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Counterintelligence and Cyber Division, said, "Monica Witt allegedly betrayed her oath to the Constitution more than a decade ago by defecting to Iran and providing the Iranian regime National Defense Information and likely continues to support their nefarious activities." He also 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. The FBI wants to hear from you so you can help us apprehend Witt and bring her to justice."
Ongoing Search
The FBI said Witt remains at large, is known to speak Farsi and reside in Iran, and may be using aliases including Fatemah Zahra or Narges Witt. The bureau is urging anyone with information about Witt to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tips can also be shared with local FBI offices, the nearest American embassy or consulate, or submitted via tips.fbi.gov.
Why This Matters:
This case highlights the ongoing vulnerability of U.S. intelligence personnel and their families to threats that emerge when trusted insiders betray their oaths. The alleged defection of a counterintelligence agent with access to the identities of undercover personnel represents not just an institutional security failure, but a direct threat to the safety of Americans serving their country abroad. The fact that Witt allegedly remains active in supporting Iranian intelligence operations more than a decade after her defection underscores the lasting human cost of espionage—real people whose identities were compromised, real families whose safety was jeopardized, and real national security programs undermined. The FBI's renewed focus on her capture reflects the need for accountability and justice for those whose lives and service were put at risk by her alleged actions.