US military weighs ‘mother of all bombs’ for Iran strikes

The US military has drawn up new strike plans against Iran that include possibly using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, known as MOAB or the "mother of all bombs," against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites. CNN reported the plans on Thursday, citing multiple US officials. The plans would apply if President Donald Trump orders combat to resume, either before or after the midterm elections. Using the MOAB would be the first time the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal has been used in the war with Iran. Even so, sources told CNN they doubt it would achieve Trump's strategic goals. Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report.edition.cnn.com+1

What the plans include

One source told CNN that Trump ordered additional strike packages covering "a lot of energy infrastructure" and a possible MOAB strike. According to that source, the attack would come "prior to US retrograde in CENTCOM AOR (area of responsibility)." That wording suggests the administration could strike, declare victory and pull forces out quickly. A second source said plans for hitting Iranian nuclear sites, including Pickaxe Mountain, explicitly call for the MOAB. Another source described other options as a "fireworks show" meant to give Trump an off-ramp.edition.cnn.com

A White House official declined to discuss military plans, saying "President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon." A Pentagon official said the department "plans for a wide range of operational scenarios". No decision to carry out the strikes has been reported.iranintl.com+1

Doubts about the bomb

The 21,600-pound GPS-guided bomb can destroy an area roughly the size of nine city blocks. However, sources said it likely cannot reach deep enough to destroy suspected facilities at Pickaxe, which is believed to be protected by layers of granite. "It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead," one source told CNN. The bomb's large blast radius could also put civilians at risk if it hits infrastructure near populated areas. Trump first used the MOAB in combat in 2017, against an Islamic State tunnel complex in Afghanistan.iranintl.com+1

Midterm pressure

The report comes a week after Trump wrote on Truth Social on October 8 that "we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd". He did not rule out new attacks after the vote. Several advisers told CNN privately they did not know whether that pledge was final.washingtonpost.com+2

Meanwhile, a third aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, could reach the region as early as the end of October. As one source told CNN, the president "has unfortunately put himself in a situation where he is almost compelled to do something".edition.cnn.com+1