US military considers using MOAB bomb against Iran
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 11:44 · Archive
The US military has developed strike plans that could include using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear targets.
The US military has developed strike plans that could include dropping the 'mother of all bombs' on Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if President Trump orders additional attacks. The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb is the largest non-nuclear explosive the US has ever detonated in combat, containing 18,700 pounds of high explosives and weighing nearly 1,000kg. It has not been used since 2017 when it was dropped on an ISIS cave and tunnel complex in Afghanistan.
According to CNN, citing a source, Trump has ordered military planners to create strike packages against Iran that include 'a lot of energy infrastructure'. The source implied strikes would come before a US military withdrawal from the region, potentially allowing the administration to declare victory before pulling out. Another source claimed a MOAB could be used in attacks on Pickaxe Mountain, a hidden fortress near the Natanz nuclear facility. There is no indication of nuclear activity at the site, but experts say it is 'large enough' to 'hold a centrifuge enrichment plant'.
A White House official said 'President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon', refusing to confirm specific plans. A Pentagon spokesperson added that the Department of War plans for 'a wide range of operational scenarios'. Officials have questioned whether deploying the MOAB would change the course of the conflict, and the proposed strikes would mark a major escalation in the war, which has lasted more than six months.
How it is being reported
- U.S. reportedly considers use of 'mother of all bombs' as Iran vows to fight onThe U.S. military has reportedly drawn up options for strikes on Iran that include the potential use of one of the biggest non-nuclear bombs in its arsenal.CNBC · 15 Oct, 11:44
- US considers using Mother of All Bombs against Iran – what is it?The Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) weapon is reportedly being considered for use in Iran (Picture: Reuters) The US military has drawn up plans to potentially unleash the ‘mother of all bombs’ on Iran ’s energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if Donald Trump gives the order to resume combat…Metro · 15 Oct, 11:28
- US military weighs use of ‘mother of all bombs’ in future strikes on Iran: reportThe US military has developed strike plans that could include using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, also known as the "mother of all bombs," against Iran, according to a report.New York Post · 15 Oct, 05:36
In this story: Donald Trump · Iran · US military · Natanz · Pickaxe Mountain · Pentagon
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem
Comments (0)