'Mother of All Bombs' to Be Dropped on Iran?... "U.S. Military Included in Additional Attack Plans"

CNN reported on the 15th (local time) that the U.S. military has drawn up new operational plans targeting Iran's energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities in preparation for an order by U.S. President Donald Trump to resume attacks around the midterm elections.

The network added that the plans include dropping the massive non-nuclear ordnance GBU-43/B, commonly known as the "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB).

A source familiar with the U.S. military's planning discussions told CNN that President Trump ordered the drafting of additional strike options involving significant energy infrastructure, and that the MOAB is among the options.

Another source stated that the plan to attack the Iranian nuclear facility known as the "Pickaxe Mountain" also specifies the use of the MOAB.

The first source noted that language was also used suggesting the additional attacks could take place prior to the withdrawal from the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility.

This means the U.S. administration could carry out additional strikes, declare victory, and rapidly withdraw troops.

The MOAB is the U.S. military's largest non-nuclear bomb, weighing approximately 9.8 tons.

It is an air-burst warhead that detonates before hitting the ground to inflict shock over a wide area, and was first used in 2017 during President Trump's first term to attack an Islamic State (IS) stronghold in Afghanistan.

During its final testing phase in 2003 amid the Iraq War, military officials stated that the MOAB was primarily conceived as a "psychological operations" weapon.

At the time, military officials expected that the massive explosion itself would rattle Iraqi forces, pressuring them to surrender or abandon combat altogether.

The discussion of such a somewhat extreme plan for additional attacks against Iran within the U.S. military is interpreted as stemming from political pressure to end the war.

CNN reported that although U.S. bombing has continued for over six months, there has been no clear progress in negotiations with Iran, and the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections is also concerned about voter backlash against the war.

While President Trump previously stated he would take no new action before the elections, aides reportedly do not rule out the possibility that his stance could change.

CNN pointed out that while the military power of the MOAB is substantial, it remains uncertain whether it would actually achieve the strike objectives.

Sources familiar with the military planning discussions pointed out that while the bomb is suited for causing damage over a wide surface area, it may not penetrate deeply enough to destroy Iran's nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain, which is believed to be built deep beneath granite layers.

One source said, "Unfortunately, the president has painted himself into a corner where he feels he has to do something," adding, "If there is no munition designed to penetrate to that depth, they have no choice but to turn to the psychological effect of the MOAB."

The implication is that while it may not militarily subjugate Iran, it could serve as an option to pressure Iran and alter the current deadlock without resuming a full-scale ground war.

Concerns over civilian casualties have also been raised if the MOAB were to be used on targets close to civilian areas, such as energy infrastructure.

The White House declined to comment on sensitive military planning, but stated that President Trump "keeps all options on the table" to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.