What is the MOAB? Trump threatens to drop massive bomb on Iran

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in What is the MOAB? Trump threatens to drop massive bomb on Iran James C. Reynolds Thursday 15 October 2026 14:31 BST Bookmark popover Removed from bookmarks Close popover Trump calls himself a 'freaking genius' and rants about cognitive tests at Arizona rally The U.S. military has drawn up plans to target Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb , also known as the Mother of all Bombs. Donald Trump and his advisers have reportedly discussed options for a definitive strike to end the conflict as voter support wanes ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, officials familiar with the designs told CNN . Proposed strike packages target key Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, including Pickaxe Mountain. Previous US bunker-buster strikes last year only set back Iran 's nuclear operations by a matter of months, according to US intelligence assessments. Iran has been enriching uranium up to 60 per cent purity, close to weapons-grade, though Tehran maintains its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful. In full Trump threatens to drop ‘the mother of all bombs’ on Iran in major escalation