The United States is reportedly considering using its largest non-nuclear bomb against Iran if President Donald Trump decides to resume military operations, according to a CNN report, as efforts to end the conflict remain deadlocked.
The weapon under consideration is the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), widely known as the “Mother of All Bombs”. According to CNN, which cited officials familiar with the plans, the US military has examined the possibility of using the powerful weapon against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear-related sites.
The reported discussions come amid a prolonged conflict that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Diplomatic efforts to secure an end to the fighting have made little progress since the summer, leaving the possibility of renewed military action unresolved.
However, questions remain about whether the MOAB would be effective against some of the targets reportedly being considered. Officials familiar with the plans have expressed doubts about its ability to destroy suspected Iranian nuclear facilities located deep underground.
“The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else,” a source familiar with the plans told CNN. “It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead.”
The distinction is significant because destroying hardened underground facilities requires weapons capable of penetrating deep into the ground or through reinforced structures. The MOAB is designed primarily to produce a powerful blast over a wide area, rather than to penetrate deeply buried targets.
The proposed use of the MOAB would represent a significant escalation if the United States carried out the strikes. The weapon has not been reported as used against Iran in the current conflict, and the military planning described by CNN does not mean that Trump has approved an attack.
According to the report, US military planners have developed additional strike options covering Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear-related facilities. One of the locations reportedly included in the plans is Pickaxe Mountain, a site suspected of housing parts of Iran’s nuclear programme. The reported objective would be to give the president further military options if diplomatic efforts fail.
The potential impact on civilians is another concern. A weapon designed to produce a powerful blast across a wide area could put people and infrastructure near a target at risk, particularly if used against facilities in populated areas. The scale of the possible damage has raised questions about whether deploying the bomb would achieve the intended military objectives.
Washington and Israel have maintained that their military campaign is intended to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran has repeatedly denied seeking to acquire them. The dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains central to the conflict, alongside disagreements over security and regional influence.
The war is also creating political pressure in the United States as the November midterm elections approach. The original report cited concerns about the conflict’s unpopularity and rising fuel and other costs, which could affect support for Trump’s Republican Party. However, the extent to which those concerns will shape any military decision remains uncertain.
In recent weeks, Washington has increasingly emphasised economic pressure as it weighs its options. A renewed bombing campaign would mark a shift back towards direct military action at a time when negotiations have struggled to produce a settlement.
For now, the reported MOAB plans remain a possible option rather than a confirmed decision to strike. Questions over the weapon’s effectiveness against deeply buried nuclear facilities, the risk to civilians and the wider consequences of renewed attacks remain unresolved.
