Last week, Trump said the US would not attack Iran before the midterm elections
The White House and Pentagon have prepared plans to deploy the US military’s largest non-nuclear bomb against Iran, including potential strikes on energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, if President Donald Trump orders a resumption of combat operations, according to reports by CBS News and CNN.The plans include the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), commonly known as the “mother of all bombs”, which weighs more than 21,000 pounds and is designed to unleash a massive blast across a wide area. CNN, citing US officials familiar with military planning, reported that potential targets included energy infrastructure and the suspected nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain.CBS News also reported that the White House and Pentagon had drawn up plans to use the weapon against Iranian military sites.
The reports come as the Trump administration considers its options for ending a conflict that has continued for more than six months, with no clear indication of an imminent diplomatic breakthrough.A Pentagon official told CBS News: "The Department of War plans for a wide range of operational scenarios to execute Presidential and Secretary level direction and to ensure mission success in any operational environment."
A White House spokesperson said: "We do not comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist. President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."Last week, Trump said the US would not attack Iran before the midterm elections. He also spoke of "productive conversations" with Tehran without providing details.However, the inclusion of the MOAB in military planning does not mean Trump has authorised its use.
CNN reported that US military planners were also preparing for possible Iranian retaliation if further strikes were ordered.The weapon was used in combat for the first time in April 2017, during Trump's first presidency, when the US military dropped it on an Islamic State tunnel complex in Afghanistan.Despite its enormous destructive power, the MOAB is not designed to penetrate deeply buried targets. CNN reported that officials had questioned whether it could destroy facilities such as Pickaxe Mountain, believed to be protected by layers of granite.The bomb detonates before hitting the ground, spreading its blast across a large area rather than burrowing underground like a specialised bunker-buster. Its potential use against energy infrastructure could also raise concerns about civilian casualties, particularly near populated areas.Military planners have considered the weapon as one option for increasing pressure on Tehran, although officials have questioned whether additional strikes alone would achieve Washington's broader objectives or force Iran to capitulate.