Trump readying to unleash ‘mother of all bombs’ to finally destroy Iran’s underground nuke fortress

Comment now Next DONALD Trump is reportedly considering dropping one of his most powerful weapons – nicknamed the “mother of all bombs” – on Iran. The huge 21,600lb “smart bomb” could form part of Washington’s war-ending assault on Tehran’s energy infrastructure and nuclear sites. 6 A GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb being launched in November 2003 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Credit: Shutterstock 6 The huge 21,600lb “smart bomb” could form part of Washington’s war-ending assault on Tehran’s energy infrastructure and nuclear sites Credit: EPA Advertisement US military officials have developed strike plans that include using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), reports CNN . The bomb is a precision-guided “smart bomb” which is intended to cause maximum damage to bunkers, tunnels and any areas hard to penetrate. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Trump has made it a priority of his war goals to stop Iran from being able to harness or develop nuclear uranium which can be used to make nukes. Iran’s secret stockpile of uranium is reportedly stashed beneath hundreds of feet of earth and concrete at the underground Is fahan nuclear complex and at other damaged sites like Natanz and Fordo . Read more in Iran CALL TO ARMS Iran's rebels are strangling Middle East - UK must fight, ex-Nato boss warns BOMBER RUSH US withdraws bombers from RAF Fairford amid 'new threats' after 'Iran plot' 6 Trump has made it a priority of his war goals to stop Iran from being able to harness or develop nuclear uranium which can be used to make nukes Credit: Reuters 6 Trump has already unleashed strikes on these bases using bunker-buster bombs but didn’t manage to eliminate all of the stockpiles. The MOAB is one of the largest non- nuclear bombs in Trump’s impressive arsenal . Advertisement It is capable of devastating an area equivalent to nine city blocks if used effectively. Trump is reportedly still weighing up plans for a fresh offensive on Iran after his war, which started back in February, has faltered in recent weeks. Most read in The Sun BALD MOVE Cops hunt two men wearing 'Clare Balding' face masks in criminal damage probe CRUSHING BLOW Putin humiliated as SIX Su-34 bombers 'destroyed' in Russian airbase strike DEADLY DOWNPOUR Horror flash floods batter Brit hols hotspot killing two as cars swept away BRAKE EXPECTATIONS Why the M60 closed today - latest updates after motorway police incident Both sides have been trying to secure a deal involving nuclear weapons , the Strait of Hormuz and major sanctions. But diplomacy has all but failed with officials now urging Trump to end the war with punishing aerial assaults. 6 A huge blast from a MOAB bomb at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Credit: Handout – Getty Advertisement 6 The monster weapon was dropped on ISIS caves in Afghanistan just in 2017 Credit: EPA Trump and his advisers have discussed options to cause a “definitive” end to the war for months, according to reports. The conflict, which has driven up oil prices and led to turmoil over global trade, is hugely unfavourable to the average American. It comes ahead of the midterm elections which could make or break Trump’s political power for his remaining years in office. One military source claimed Trump has ordered his officials to draw up strike packages against Iranian targets that include “a lot of energy infrastructure”. Advertisement This includes the MOAB. The Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb has been used by Trump before less than a decade ago. A US plane dropped the monster weapon on ISIS caves in Afghanistan just days after an American Special Forces soldier was killed during a joint U.S.-Afghan offensive against the Islamic State in 2017. A second source again said the MOAB is likely on the cards as it will be needed if the US wants to strike targets such as Pickaxe Mountain. The US has long been aiming to deploy a double-tap technique to blow Iran’s “invincible” 300ft deep nuclear base to smithereens. Advertisement Shrouded in secrecy, the heavily fortified bunker is feared to be where Tehran is constructing an indestructible atomic plant under 300ft of solid granite. Washington’s GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) is also rumoured to be a potential weapon Trump could drop. Some sources are not keen on the MOAB as it isn’t a specialised bunker destroying weapon. One Pentagon source said: “The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else. “It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead.” Advertisement An enormous blast radius also raises severe concerns over civilian casualties who could be caught up in the bombing campaign. It comes after daring footage captured US helicopters striking an Iranian spy boat with missiles out at sea. RECOMMENDED STORIES A huge onboard fireball erupted as US Central Command said the boat was “conducting surveillance and targeting US Navy ships in the Gulf of Oman”. The strike came before a cargo ship carrying 2,500 containers hit an Iranian sea mine – the first vessel to be sunk by one since the war broke out. Comment now