Iranupdated 1h ago2 min read
US Military Plans MOAB Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites If Trump Orders Combat Resumption
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US military drafted plans to use MOAB against Iran’s energy infrastructure and nuclear sites. Deployment depends on President Trump resuming combat operations before or after the midterms.
Anadolu Ajansı was read line by line by the Watchdog: 2.8. See the score →
MOAB Option Floated
The US military has developed new strike plans that include the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, known as the “mother of all bombs,” against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if President Donald Trump orders a resumption of combat operations. Trump ordered additional strike options that could be activated “prior to US retrograde in CENTCOM AOR (area of responsibility),” and a second source told CNN that plans for striking Iranian nuclear sites, including Pickaxe Mountain, explicitly call for using the MOAB.
An Anadolu Ajansı report said the proposed use of the MOAB would mark “a significant escalation in the conflict with Iran,” while US officials questioned whether the weapon could achieve Washington’s military objectives. An Arab Times Kuwait News report said the plans reportedly include the MOAB among potential options, but it also said the report does not indicate Trump has made a decision to authorize these strikes or that the MOAB will be used.
Effectiveness and Targeting
The MOAB is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal and doubts persist about how effective it would be against Iranian nuclear facilities and other sites located deep underground. The GPS-guided bomb can destroy an area equivalent to nine city blocks, but it likely lacks the capability to penetrate deep enough to destroy suspected nuclear facilities at Pickaxe, which is believed to be fortified by layers of granite.
An Anadolu Ajansı report said the GPS-guided bomb can devastate a large surface area equivalent to approximately nine city blocks, but it is not designed to penetrate deeply underground. A source familiar with military planning discussions said, “The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else,” and CNN added that it is “definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead.”
Political Pressure and Options
Trump is facing pressure to bring an end to the deeply unpopular war, with Republicans bracing for potential political backlash from voters in the upcoming midterm elections. White House advisers held meetings to discuss various options for Iran, and it said Trump announced publicly that he would not take new actions before the midterms while advisers privately said they did not know whether that statement was definitive.
A White House official told CNN that the administration “does not comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist,” and the official added that Trump “keeps all options on the table” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The Pentagon said it is developing plans for a wide range of scenarios in response to the President’s directions, while it also described the MOAB discussions as tied to targeting fortified sites buried underground and the “Jabal al-Faas” nuclear site.