Monica Witt: US charges former agent with spying for Iran as 'anti-Tehran' conference begins
Monica Elfriede Witt is at large six years after she defected to Iran when she had been a US intelligence officer.
news.sky.comHere’s the latest I can share based on recent reporting:
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Monica Witt is portrayed in latest coverage as a former U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist who defected to Iran and is sought by U.S. authorities. Multiple outlets note an FBI reward and charges dating back to 2019 related to espionage and transmitting national defense information to Iran, with Witt believed to have remained at large and possibly in Iran since 2013. [Cited sources discuss the FBI reward and ongoing search as of May 2026.]
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The most prominent recent updates come from summaries published on May 14, 2026, highlighting:
- The FBI offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to her arrest and prosecution.[1]
- Allegations that she provided sensitive counterintelligence information to Iranian officials and helped target former U.S. colleagues.[1]
- Statements that Witt may have traveled to and remained in Iran, with authorities asserting she likely continues to support Iran’s activities.[1]
Notes and context:
- Background reporting from earlier years (2019) established charges of espionage and defection to Iran, with Witt still at large at that time.[4]
- Various sources (including contemporaneous U.S. and international coverage) trace the narrative of betrayal and ongoing investigations, though Witt’s current whereabouts remain unconfirmed in public disclosures.[3][4]
If you’d like, I can:
- Compile a brief timeline of key events in Witt’s case with dates and charges.
- Pull up the most directly cited passages from the 2019 indictments and 2026 FBI statements.
- Create a concise news digest with direct quotes and links to the original articles.