US considers new strikes on Iran, with “mother of all bombs” among the options

The US military has prepared new scenarios for possible strikes against Iran, including the use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal, widely known as the “mother of all bombs.”

The information was published by CNN, which cited US officials briefed on the military plans.

The plans under consideration envisage strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities if US President Donald Trump decides to order the resumption of military operations.

According to the sources cited, Trump has requested the drafting of additional plans for strikes against Iran’s energy sector. The list of potential targets also includes nuclear facilities, including the underground Pickaxe Mountain complex.

The US and Israel suspect that Iran keeps components of its nuclear program at the complex. One of the scenarios under discussion is to carry out the strikes before US forces leave the area of responsibility of the US Central Command, CENTCOM.

This indicates that Washington is considering the possibility of striking remaining targets before declaring that it has achieved the objectives of the military operation.

Although it has immense destructive power, the MOAB was not designed to penetrate deep underground. For this reason, its use against nuclear facilities protected by thick layers of rock remains debatable.

CNN’s sources said Pickaxe Mountain is believed to be protected by granite layers, which could limit the bomb’s impact. The MOAB was designed primarily to cause extensive surface damage and strike large targets, such as military positions or fortified structures.

Some US officials doubt whether an attack with this weapon would produce the intended strategic results. Another concern is the risk to civilians, particularly if the energy facilities are located near populated areas.

The use of the MOAB could also serve a psychological purpose, putting pressure on Iran’s leadership and seeking to change its position regarding Washington’s demands.

However, the sources cited by CNN stressed that such an attack would not guarantee that Tehran would accept the US conditions or that it would result in a decisive military victory.

The MOAB was developed in 2003, while its first use in a military operation was recorded in April 2017, during Donald Trump’s first presidential term. At the time, US forces used the bomb against positions of the Islamic State terrorist organization in Afghanistan, targeting a network of fortified tunnels.

The weapon weighs approximately 9.8 tons and detonates near the surface, creating a powerful shock wave. It ranks among the most powerful conventional weapons in the US military.

The new plans were drawn up at a time when the Trump administration is facing pressure to end the conflict with Iran, while the US midterm elections are approaching. So far, there are no clear indications that Washington and Tehran are close to a diplomatic agreement.

It is not yet known whether Trump will authorize the resumption of the strikes or whether the MOAB will be included in any future US operation.