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The United States is considering deploying its largest non-nuclear bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, if President Donald Trump orders renewed military strikes, CNN has reported.
According to the report, the proposed operation could involve the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), popularly known as the “mother of all bombs”.
The report noted that Trump has ordered additional strike plans targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, with the MOAB among the weapons being considered.
The plans also reportedly include the possible use of the bomb against Iranian nuclear facilities, including a site known as Pickaxe Mountain.
However, no decision to launch the proposed attacks has been reported.
Sources told CNN that the administration does not comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist, adding that Trump “keeps all options on the table” to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Weighing about 9.8 tonnes, the MOAB is designed to unleash a powerful blast across a wide area rather than penetrate deeply buried targets.
Its potential deployment against Iran’s nuclear facilities has raised questions about its effectiveness against installations protected by thick layers of rock underground.
One person familiar with the military planning described the bomb as effective for clearing a large area but said it was “definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead”.
The weapon’s extensive blast radius could also raise concerns about civilian casualties if used against infrastructure near populated areas.
The US first deployed the MOAB in combat in April 2017, during Trump’s first administration, when it struck an Islamic State tunnel complex in Afghanistan.
The report also added that US military planners had also developed other options as the Trump administration considers ways to bring the conflict with Iran to an end.
Trump has maintained that Iran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon and has indicated that further US military action remains possible.
