The U.S. military is reportedly considering using what has been described as the “mother of all bombs” against Iran amid its ongoing war with the country.
CNN, citing anonymous officials familiar with the matter, reported Thursday that the U.S. military could target Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites with the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), pending approval from President Donald Trump.
Military.com has not verified this report. A White House official told Military.com that it does not “comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist.”
“President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” the official said. Efforst to reach the Pentagon garnered no response.
Members of 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, 744th Forward Support Company as well as the battalion ammo and distribution teams unload Reduced Range Practice Rockets (RRPR) for later use in live fire exercises, at McGregor Base Camp, Las Cruces, New Mexico, April 14, 2023. 3-197th FAR is an Artillery Regiment that specializes in the use of HIMARS. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Devin Bard, 3-197th FAR PAO.)
The war began Feb. 28 and is currently in its seventh month as negotiations between Washington and Tehran broke down weeks ago. On Oct. 8, Trump said that Washington would withhold direct military retaliation against Iran until after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, instead maintaining a strict naval blockade.
The potential use of the bombs raises new questions about the administration’s plans to end the war, and at what cost.
Plans for the MOAB
One source told CNN that Trump has ordered the military to develop additional strike packages against energy targets. Another said the U.S. could target Iranian nuclear sites like Pickaxe Mountain.
Al Weimorts, the creator of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb (pictured left), and Joseph Fellenz, lead model maker, look over the prototype before it was painted and tested. (Courtesy photo)
Another source said the military officials had developed plans that would amount to a “fireworks show” that could provide Trump with a way to end the conflict.
The MOAB is the largest non-nuclear weapon in the US military arsenal.
Weighing 21,600 pounds, the GPS-guided munition developed during the Iraq War in 2003 detonates just before hitting the ground, creating a huge blast wave that radiates for a mile in every direction to destroy surface targets, tunnels, and light infrastructure.
Experts have questioned its ability to penetrate deeply buried, reinforced underground facilities, and warn its massive blast radius poses extreme risks to nearby civilian populations.
A High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment, fires a Reduced Range Practice Rocket (RRPR), during a live fire exercise, at McGregor Base Camp, Las Cruces, New Mexico, April 15, 2023. 3-197th FAR is an Artillery Regiment that specializes in the use of HIMARS. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Devin Bard, 3-197th FAR PAO.)
“The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else,” one source familiar with military planning discussions about Iran told CNN. “It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead.”
“POTUS has unfortunately put himself in a situation where he is almost compelled to do something and, without the ammunition designed to penetrate that level … you have to look at psychological effects for which the MOAB is well-equipped,” the source added.
Trump used the MOAB during his first term and became the first U.S. President to do so when he authorized its use on underground tunnels used by ISIS in Afghanistan in 2017.
This strike killed 36 ISIS fighters, Afghan officials said at the time.