US Considers Hitting Iran with ‘Mother of All Bombs’ — Report

The United States military is considering the possible use of its largest non-nuclear bomb against Iran if President Donald Trump orders renewed military operations, according to a CNN report published on Wednesday.

The weapon, known as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), is popularly called the “Mother of All Bombs”. It could be used in potential strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, CNN reported, citing US officials familiar with the military planning.

The report said Trump had directed the development of additional strike options as Washington considers how to address the continuing conflict with Iran.

However, no decision to deploy the weapon has been announced. Reuters said it could not independently verify CNN’s report.

The MOAB weighs approximately 9.8 tonnes and is designed to produce a powerful blast over a wide area. It is the largest conventional bomb in the US arsenal, but military officials have reportedly questioned whether it would be effective against Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities.

One source familiar with the planning told CNN that the weapon was suited to clearing large areas but was not designed to penetrate deeply underground.

The concerns are significant because some suspected Iranian nuclear installations are believed to be protected by thick layers of rock and reinforced underground structures. Officials have therefore questioned whether using the bomb would achieve Washington’s stated military objectives.

The weapon’s extensive blast radius could also increase the risk of civilian casualties if deployed against infrastructure near populated areas.

The potential plans come as the Trump administration faces pressure to bring the conflict to an end. Diplomatic efforts have struggled to produce a lasting agreement, while the war has raised concerns about regional security and global energy supplies.

Trump has maintained that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. Tehran has repeatedly denied seeking to develop them.

The White House has said the president keeps military options available to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while the Pentagon has declined to comment on specific operational plans.

The US first used the MOAB in combat in April 2017, during Trump’s first presidency, when it was deployed against an Islamic State tunnel complex in Afghanistan.

The latest report indicates that US military planners are preparing options for possible renewed action, but whether Trump will authorise further strikes remains uncertain.