The U.S. military has reportedly developed new plans for possible attacks against Iran that include the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, better known as the “Mother of All Bombs,” as President Donald Trump considers his options for renewed military action against Tehran.

According to a CNN report, Pentagon planners have been examining whether the enormous conventional weapon could be used against Iranian nuclear installations and other strategic targets if the president authorizes another round of strikes. The planning reportedly includes possible attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure, although no decision to launch additional operations has been announced.

The weapon, commonly referred to by its acronym MOAB, is among the most powerful non-nuclear bombs ever developed by the United States. Weighing approximately 21,600 pounds, or nearly 11 tons, the GPS-guided bomb carries an explosive charge with a destructive force equivalent to roughly 11 tons of TNT.

Despite its extraordinary size and power, the MOAB has been deployed in combat only once. In April 2017, during Trump’s first administration, American forces dropped the bomb on an ISIS tunnel complex in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. The strike targeted fortified positions and an extensive network of underground passages used by the terrorist organization.

The possibility of using the weapon against Iran presents a considerably different military challenge, particularly because some of the country’s most sensitive nuclear installations are believed to be buried beneath substantial layers of rock.

One location reportedly under consideration is an underground Iranian facility known as Pickaxe Mountain, which has attracted attention because of its suspected connection to Tehran’s nuclear program.

The installation is believed to have been constructed deep inside a mountain and shielded by thick granite formations, raising questions about whether even a bomb as powerful as the MOAB could penetrate far enough to destroy its most important underground components.

Although the MOAB is designed to produce an exceptionally powerful blast over a broad area, it is not a specialized bunker-busting weapon. Its principal destructive effect comes from the enormous pressure wave generated by its explosion rather than its ability to burrow through layers of reinforced concrete and solid rock.

That distinction has led military analysts to question whether the bomb would be effective against deeply buried Iranian nuclear facilities, even if it caused extensive destruction to surrounding infrastructure, entrances, or surface installations.

The latest reporting indicates that the potential use of the MOAB is part of a broader set of military options requested by Trump in recent weeks. One official familiar with the discussions said the president had asked for additional strike plans covering “a lot of energy infrastructure,” with the massive bomb included among the weapons being considered.

Another official said the Pentagon’s plans for attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities specifically include the possibility of deploying the MOAB against Pickaxe Mountain.

The facility, located near Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex, has become a particular focus of American and Israeli concern. Iran previously described the underground installation as a future centrifuge assembly facility, but Israeli intelligence has raised suspicions that Tehran may have transferred advanced centrifuges and highly enriched uranium into the mountain.

Recent analysis of satellite photographs has also indicated increased construction activity at the site, including reinforcement of tunnel entrances and work believed to be taking place inside the mountain. Researchers have warned that the depth of the installation could make it extremely difficult to destroy through conventional airstrikes.

One individual familiar with the Pentagon’s deliberations questioned whether the MOAB would accomplish the military’s intended objectives.

“The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else,” the source told CNN. “It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead.”

The weapon’s enormous blast radius could also raise concerns about civilian casualties if deployed against infrastructure near populated areas.

Nevertheless, officials believe that the threat of deploying such a powerful weapon could have psychological value, demonstrating Washington’s willingness to escalate military pressure even if the bomb could not completely destroy Iran’s underground nuclear facilities.

The discussions come as the Trump administration weighs how to conclude the confrontation with Iran without allowing the regime to rebuild its nuclear capabilities. According to the reporting, some advisers have considered the possibility of carrying out additional strikes before withdrawing American forces from the region.

Trump has publicly indicated that he does not intend to resume attacks before the November 3 midterm elections, although officials familiar with White House deliberations have suggested that the administration’s plans could still change.

The United States has meanwhile maintained its naval blockade of Iranian ports, while Tehran has continued threatening international shipping and reinforcing sensitive military installations.

A White House official declined to discuss the reported military plans, saying the administration does not comment on sensitive operational matters that may or may not exist. The official reiterated that Trump “keeps all options on the table” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

{Matzav.com}