The United States is weighing the use of its largest non-nuclear bomb against Iran if President Donald Trump decides to resume military operations, CNN reported on Wednesday, citing US officials familiar with the plans.
The proposed strikes could target Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, the report said.
The weapon under consideration is the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), widely known as the “Mother of All Bombs”.
US military planners have reportedly discussed using the bomb against sites such as Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected underground nuclear facility near Natanz. However, some officials have questioned whether the weapon could penetrate deeply enough to destroy heavily fortified underground targets.
“The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else,” one source familiar with the planning told CNN.
The bomb’s wide blast radius has also raised concerns about potential civilian casualties, particularly if it is used against infrastructure close to populated areas.
A White House official told CNN that the administration would not comment on sensitive military plans, but said: “President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”
No decision to use the bomb has been publicly announced.
