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 indicted 7 years ago on espionage charges for allegedly transmitting classified national defense information to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, placing American intelligence personnel and their families at direct risk.
Witt, 47, served as an active-duty Air Force intelligence specialist and special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations from 1997 to 2008, then worked as a government contractor until 2010, according to the FBI Washington Field Office. Her positions granted 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—among the most sensitive assets in America's national security apparatus.
The Defection and Betrayal
Officials allege that Witt defected to Iran 13 years ago in 2013, deliberately providing information to the Iranian government that placed sensitive and classified U.S. national defense information and programs at risk. The FBI said she allegedly 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.
A federal grand jury in the District of Columbia indicted Witt in February 2019 on espionage charges, including transmitting national defense information to the Iranian government. The indictment came 7 years ago, yet Witt remains at large.
Threat to National Security
The FBI said Witt's 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. The bureau's characterization underscores the gravity of Witt's alleged betrayal—providing intelligence capabilities to an adversary actively working against American personnel worldwide.
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."
Current Status
The FBI said Witt is known to speak Farsi and reside in Iran, and may be using aliases including Fatemah Zahra or Narges Witt. The bureau is seeking information from anyone who may know her whereabouts, urging contacts through 1-800-CALL-FBI, local FBI offices, the nearest American embassy or consulate, or via tips.fbi.gov.
Why This Matters:
Witt's alleged espionage represents a catastrophic breach of America's counterintelligence defenses, with a trusted insider deliberately compromising the identities of undercover personnel and operational methods to a hostile regime. The case highlights the enduring vulnerability of classified information to insider threats and the long-term damage a single defector can inflict on national security infrastructure. Her alleged ongoing support for Iranian intelligence operations means American personnel abroad remain at elevated risk more than a decade after her defection. The substantial reward reflects both the seriousness of her alleged crimes and the FBI's determination to hold accountable those who betray their oath to protect the nation, particularly when their actions directly endanger American lives and intelligence capabilities.