US Military Plans to Deploy MOAB Against Iran
The White House and Pentagon are reportedly preparing to use the GBU-43/B MOAB on Iran if combat operations resume.
Plans include targeting energy infrastructure and nuclear sites.
The MOAB, weighing over 21,000 pounds, is designed for large-area blasts.
Military planners are also considering potential Iranian retaliation.
The White House and Pentagon are reportedly developing strategies to deploy the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), known as the 'mother of all bombs,' against Iran. This plan could involve strikes on critical energy infrastructure and suspected nuclear sites if President Trump decides to resume military operations. Reports from CBS News and CNN indicate that the MOAB's deployment is being considered amid ongoing tensions that have persisted for over six months without a diplomatic resolution.
The MOAB, which weighs more than 21,000 pounds, is engineered to create a massive explosion over a wide area. Potential targets identified in military discussions include energy facilities and the suspected nuclear site at Pickaxe Mountain. While the White House has not confirmed the specifics of these military plans, a spokesperson stated that all options remain available to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
A Pentagon official emphasized that the Department of War prepares for various operational scenarios to align with presidential directives. Despite the planning, it is important to note that the inclusion of the MOAB in military strategy does not imply that President Trump has authorized its use. Additionally, military planners are also considering the possibility of Iranian retaliation should further strikes be executed.
The MOAB was first used in combat in April 2017 during Trump's presidency, targeting an Islamic State tunnel complex in Afghanistan. Although it possesses significant destructive capabilities, the MOAB is not designed to penetrate deeply buried targets, raising questions about its effectiveness against fortified sites like Pickaxe Mountain, which is believed to be shielded by granite layers. The bomb detonates above ground, dispersing its blast rather than penetrating underground, which could lead to civilian casualties if used near populated areas.
As military planners evaluate the MOAB's potential role in increasing pressure on Tehran, there are concerns about whether additional strikes alone would meet the broader objectives of the U.S. government or compel Iran to capitulate. The situation remains fluid as the Trump administration weighs its options in this ongoing conflict.
