US military weighs possible use of ‘mother of all bombs’ in Iran strikes

The U.S. military has developed options for renewed strikes on Iran that include possible use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, CNN reported, citing multiple U.S. officials familiar with the planning. Any strike would require authorization from President Donald Trump, who said last week that he would not resume military action before the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

The weapon, commonly called the “mother of all bombs” or MOAB, weighs about 21,600 pounds and carries roughly 18,000 pounds of explosives. Designed to detonate above ground and produce a powerful blast across a wide area, it can be deployed from a C-130 cargo aircraft. The United States has used it in combat once, against an Islamic State cave and tunnel complex in Afghanistan in 2017.

CNN reported that plans contemplate targeting Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites. However, officials and military experts quoted by CNN and Al Jazeera questioned whether the weapon could destroy Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities, noting that the MOAB is not designed as a deep-penetration bomb. CNBC said it had not independently confirmed CNN’s report and had sought comment from the Defense Department.

The reported planning comes as diplomatic efforts remain stalled and tensions continue in the region. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would combine military and defensive capabilities, negotiations and regional leverage to press its demands, while maintaining that Iran does not seek an endless war.