Trump Administration Considers 'Mother of All Bombs' for Iran, CNN Reports

According to several US officials with knowledge of the matter, the American military has formulated fresh attack strategies. These plans potentially involve deploying the formidable “Mother of All Bombs” against Iranian energy facilities and nuclear installations, contingent on President Donald Trump authorizing a return to combat, either before or following the midterm elections. The deployment of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, or MOAB—the most potent non-nuclear weapon in the US arsenal—for the first time against Iran would signify a significant escalation. However, various sources privy to internal military deliberations concerning this weapon's potential use have raised questions about its actual efficacy in achieving Trump's stated aims or altering the course of the ongoing conflict.

President Trump is currently under considerable pressure to conclude the highly unpopular conflict. This comes as Republicans anticipate a potential political fallout from voters during the approaching midterm elections, and after over six months of US airstrikes, there's scant evidence of an imminent negotiated settlement between the two nations. Although the US military consistently offers Trump various options for targeting remaining Iranian sites, some officials privately express skepticism regarding the White House's overarching strategy. They question if these plans are integrated into a cohesive approach capable of genuinely ending the war, a power solely vested in the President.

For several months, Trump and his team of advisors have explored various strategies aimed at achieving a “definitive” end to the conflict, particularly from a public relations standpoint, acknowledging the war's growing unpopularity with the American public. While some within the administration have suggested the war is largely won, Trump himself has adopted a more cautious tone in recent statements. He has refrained from declaring outright victory, instead noting that the US still has unresolved matters in the region. Privately, Trump has also expressed reservations about certain external allies who advocate for simply withdrawing US troops and moving forward, contending that such a move would be perceived as a defeat.

In recent weeks, advisors at the White House have convened multiple meetings to deliberate on a range of options concerning Iran. Although President Trump publicly stated that no new military actions would be undertaken before the midterm elections, several advisors privately admitted uncertainty about the finality of this declaration, suggesting it could still change before Election Day. A source informed CNN that Trump has directed the military to prepare further strike plans targeting Iranian assets, specifically mentioning “a lot of energy infrastructure” and the possible deployment of a MOAB. This source further indicated that the planned attack was described as occurring “prior to US retrograde in CENTCOM AOR (area of responsibility),” suggesting a strategy where the administration could execute these strikes, declare victory, and then swiftly withdraw all personnel.

Separately, another source confirmed to CNN that military blueprints for assaulting Iranian nuclear facilities, notably Pickaxe Mountain, explicitly include the use of the MOAB. Over recent months, Trump has consistently issued threats to attack Pickaxe, a location where both the US and Israel suspect Tehran is storing elements crucial to its nuclear program. This stance persists even after a temporary halt in full combat operations earlier this year, with Trump reiterating his objective to prevent Iran from ever acquiring nuclear weapons.

An additional US official explained that military planning typically involves presenting policymakers with a spectrum of options, from less aggressive to more aggressive. For targets situated deep underground, which are considered higher-end, larger munitions are necessary, and the MOAB stands as the largest available, the official clarified. However, significant doubts persist regarding the MOAB's actual effectiveness against Iran's deeply buried nuclear installations and other subterranean sites. Sources indicate that while this GPS-guided bomb can devastate an area comparable to nine city blocks, it is improbable that it possesses sufficient penetration power to obliterate the suspected nuclear facilities at Pickaxe, which are thought to be reinforced with layers of granite, along with other unaddressed Iranian nuclear sites located deep beneath the surface.

Key facts about the MOAB bomb:

* Officially known as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb.

* Colloquially referred to as the “Mother of All Bombs.”

* It represents America's most potent non-nuclear explosive device.

* Its weight is approximately 21,600 lbs.

A third source, also knowledgeable about military planning discussions concerning Iran, informed CNN that “The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else.” This source further added, “It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead.” Should it be deployed, the MOAB would cause immense destruction within its impact zone, but sources clarified that its effects would predominantly be superficial. Furthermore, the bomb's extensive blast radius would almost certainly ignite concerns regarding potential civilian casualties, especially if deployed against Iranian infrastructure targets situated near residential areas or close to non-military installations.