(TNND) — The U.S. military has developed strike plans that could include using the 21,600-pound “mother of all bombs” against Iranian energy and nuclear sites if President Donald Trump orders combat operations to resume, according to U.S. officials cited by CNN.
The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, or MOAB, is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. arsenal. CNN reported that military plans include a possible strike on Pickaxe Mountain, where the U.S. and Israel believe Iran has stored parts of its nuclear program.
But officials have questioned whether the MOAB could penetrate deeply enough to destroy underground nuclear facilities. Its large blast radius could also put civilians at risk if it were used near populated areas, CNN reported.
A Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) weapon (Department of War)
Developed during the Iraq War, the MOAB explodes before hitting the ground, sending a massive blast in all directions. During the final stages of testing in 2003, military officials described it as a weapon designed mainly for “psychological operations.”
Trump was the first U.S. president to use the MOAB. In 2017, during his first term, he authorized a strike on ISIS positions in Afghanistan. Afghan officials said the strike killed 36 ISIS fighters and hit fortified tunnels the group used to stage attacks on government forces.
Trump said earlier this month that the U.S. would not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, while reiterating that Tehran would not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. He also said the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz “will remain in full force and effect.” On Truth Social, he claimed 22 million barrels of oil moved through the waterway on Oct. 7, with none going to or coming from Iran.
Iran has restricted commercial shipping through the strategic waterway since the conflict began on Feb. 28. The U.S. has countered with a blockade of Iranian ports aimed at limiting the country’s oil exports.
Diplomatic efforts also appear stalled. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had received the U.S. response to its proposed seven-day plan to restart nuclear talks and was reviewing it. “We heard the Americans’ viewpoint regarding it. Now we are busy reviewing them. I think we will respond within a few days,” he said.
As the midterms approach, Trump faces pressure to end the war as Republicans fight to maintain control of both the House and Senate. An Associated Press-NORC poll found that 69% of Americans said the war was not worth fighting, while 65% blamed Trump’s policies for persistently high prices. About half said they were extremely or very concerned about affording fuel, up from 39% in July.