The administration of United States President Donald Trump is reportedly considering the use of its most powerful non-nuclear bomb against Iranian targets if Washington decides to resume military strikes.
The proposed operation could involve the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), a weapon widely known as the “Mother of All Bombs”, according to reports by CNN and other American media outlets.
The potential targets include Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, with particular attention reportedly given to sites believed to be involved in the country’s nuclear programme.
According to sources familiar with the military planning, Trump has directed officials to develop additional options for striking Iranian infrastructure. The MOAB is among the weapons being considered as the administration weighs its next steps in the conflict.
One facility reportedly under consideration is Pickaxe Mountain, an Iranian site believed to be associated with sensitive nuclear activities.
However, there has been no confirmed announcement that Trump has authorised the use of the bomb or approved the proposed attacks.
Sources familiar with the discussions said the administration remains determined to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Officials have also indicated that the United States is keeping various military options available as it considers how to address the situation.
The White House and the Pentagon have not publicly confirmed that the MOAB will be deployed against Iran.
WHAT MAKES THE ‘MOTHER OF ALL BOMBS’ SO POWERFUL?
The GBU-43/B MOAB weighs approximately 9.8 tonnes and is designed to produce an enormous blast capable of devastating a wide area.
Unlike specialised bunker-busting weapons designed to penetrate deeply buried structures, the MOAB primarily relies on its powerful explosive force to destroy targets over a broad area.
This distinction has raised questions about whether the weapon would be effective against Iranian nuclear installations believed to be protected by thick layers of rock and underground fortifications.
A person familiar with the military discussions reportedly described the bomb as useful for clearing large areas but noted that it was not specifically designed to penetrate deeply buried targets.
Consequently, even if Washington decided to use the weapon, its effectiveness against heavily fortified underground facilities would remain a significant consideration for military planners.
CONCERNS OVER CIVILIAN CASUALTIES
The possible deployment of the MOAB has also raised concerns about the risks to civilians, particularly if the weapon were used against infrastructure located near populated areas.
Its extensive blast radius could cause substantial destruction beyond the intended target, depending on the location and circumstances of an attack.
Energy facilities and other critical infrastructure can also support essential civilian services, meaning that attacks on such sites could have consequences extending beyond military operations.
These concerns are likely to form part of the wider debate surrounding any decision to employ the weapon against Iran.
A WEAPON PREVIOUSLY USED IN AFGHANISTAN
The United States first used the MOAB in combat in April 2017, during Trump’s first presidential administration.
The bomb was deployed against an Islamic State-linked tunnel complex in Afghanistan as part of an operation targeting militant infrastructure.
Its potential use against Iran would represent a different strategic challenge, particularly if the intended targets were nuclear facilities located deep underground.
Military planners would need to consider whether the weapon could achieve its intended objectives and whether alternative weapons would be more suitable for attacking fortified installations.
TRUMP KEEPS MILITARY OPTIONS OPEN
The reported planning comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the wider regional conflict.
Trump has repeatedly maintained that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, while leaving open the possibility of further American military action.
According to reports, US military officials have been developing additional operational scenarios as the administration considers possible ways to bring the conflict to an end.
Nevertheless, the reported discussions do not mean that an attack is imminent or that the president has made a final decision.
For now, the possible use of the “Mother of All Bombs” remains one of several military options reportedly under consideration, with questions surrounding its effectiveness, potential consequences and strategic value still unresolved.
