The US military has prepared potential strike plans involving a massive conventional bomb against Iranian targets, CNN reported Thursday. The plans could involve attacks on energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities if President Donald Trump orders renewed military operations. The development highlights a possible escalation in Washington’s military campaign against Iran. However, officials familiar with the planning process have raised questions about the weapon’s effectiveness. The report cited US officials who have knowledge of the military discussions.
The weapon under consideration is the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, widely known as the “mother of all bombs.” It is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US military arsenal. Military planners have reportedly included the weapon in possible operations against Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites. Any deployment would depend on a decision by Trump to restart combat operations.
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According to CNN, the military has developed these plans as a potential option for future action against Iran. The report does not establish that the president has approved the strikes or ordered the bomb’s use. Instead, the weapon remains part of discussions about possible military operations. The reported plans focus on targets that include energy facilities and nuclear installations.
The potential use of the bomb could represent a major change in the scale of military action against Iran. Its inclusion in the planning process indicates that US officials are considering powerful conventional weapons for possible strikes. However, the officials cited in the report have expressed uncertainty about whether the weapon would achieve Washington’s strategic goals.
The reported plans also raise questions about the intended results of any renewed campaign. Although the bomb has significant destructive power, officials have questioned its practical value in meeting military objectives. The report did not provide further details about the specific targets under consideration or the expected outcomes of such attacks.
President Trump’s decision remains central to whether the military would proceed with renewed combat operations. The report did not confirm any final decision to use the weapon against Iranian facilities. It also offered no confirmed timeline for potential strikes or details about when military action might begin.
For now, the reported plans remain a possible option rather than a confirmed military operation. Any decision to proceed would depend on the US president’s orders. Questions about the weapon’s effectiveness also remain unresolved, according to officials familiar with the discussions cited by CNN.