U.S. military planners have reportedly prepared options to use the country’s largest conventional bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities if President Donald Trump weighs renewed military action before or after the midterm elections.
The planners developed strike scenarios involving the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, commonly known as the MOAB, or the so-called “mother of all bombs,” CNN reported on Thursday.
The proposed targets reportedly include Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, potentially marking a significant expansion of the conflict if Trump approves the strikes.
One official told the publication that the strikes could be launched before U.S. forces leave the Central Command area of responsibility. The operation could then be followed by a declared victory and a rapid military withdrawal, the report added.
The report added that military plans for Iranian nuclear facilities, including Pickaxe Mountain, specifically contemplate using the MOAB. Officials remain uncertain whether the GPS-guided weapon could penetrate granite and other underground defenses.
The bomb can devastate an area comparable to roughly nine city blocks, but its effectiveness against deeply buried nuclear sites remains unclear, the report noted.
Trump has publicly ruled out action before the midterm elections, while advisers privately question whether that position will hold.
White House did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comments.
Iran Bolsters Defenses Amid Fresh US Strike Fears
The reported planning follows warnings from Iran. On Wednesday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its forces had developed more advanced weapons and were prepared to respond to renewed U.S. aggression.
Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi told Mehr News Agency that Iran’s armed forces were ready to repel another attack and suggested the Trump administration might seek military action before the midterm elections to present voters with an achievement.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Iran was reinforcing nuclear facilities and border defenses. Satellite imagery showed construction and fortification work intended to make sensitive sites more resistant to potential U.S. and Gulf allies’ attacks.
Meanwhile, Iran said a cargo ship carrying 2,500 containers sank Wednesday after striking a naval mine in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first reported sinking from a mine strike during the ongoing war. Iranian officials described the vessel’s route as unauthorized and dangerous, while details about the crew’s fate remained unclear.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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