Trump Considers Deployment of MOAB Against Iran's Nuclear Sites
The U.S. military is preparing plans to potentially use the GBU-43/B MOAB against Iranian energy and nuclear facilities amid rising tensions.
The U.S. military has developed strike plans involving the MOAB against Iran's nuclear sites.
The MOAB, weighing 21,600 pounds, is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. arsenal.
Trump is under pressure to conclude military operations in Iran while demonstrating strength.
The United States military is reportedly formulating new strike plans that could involve the deployment of its most powerful non-nuclear bomb, the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities. This development comes as President Donald Trump considers resuming combat operations, according to multiple officials familiar with the military's planning.
The proposed military operations may target sites such as the suspected underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain. While Trump has indicated a preference to delay any further strikes until after the upcoming midterm elections, the military has been instructed to prepare additional strike packages that include significant energy infrastructure as potential targets.
The MOAB, which weighs approximately 21,600 pounds, is designed to create a massive explosion over a wide area. Unlike bunker-buster bombs that penetrate underground before detonating, the MOAB detonates above the surface, projecting its destructive force outward. Its blast radius can affect an area equivalent to about nine city blocks. Developed in the early 2000s, the MOAB was intended to target large concentrations of enemy forces and equipment while also serving as a psychological weapon.
Despite its formidable capabilities, there are doubts among U.S. officials regarding the MOAB's effectiveness against Iran's heavily fortified nuclear installations. The facilities at Pickaxe Mountain are believed to be protected by substantial layers of granite, which may hinder the bomb's ability to reach underground targets. Concerns also exist regarding potential civilian casualties if the bomb is deployed near populated areas. Nevertheless, military planners believe that even if the MOAB does not achieve a decisive military outcome, it could exert psychological pressure on Iran.
As Trump faces increasing pressure to conclude the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has persisted for over six months without a diplomatic resolution, the administration is exploring options that could showcase military strength while facilitating a withdrawal. Some proposals have been described as a “fireworks show” aimed at providing Trump with a symbolic victory. The U.S. military is also preparing for potential Iranian retaliation should further strikes be authorized, following the MOAB's first combat use in Afghanistan in April 2017 against an Islamic State tunnel complex.
