U.S. Considers Massive Bomb Strike on Iran as War Tensions Rise

(President Trump And Mother of All Bombs. Photo Credit: X/Instablog)

According to US officials, the military has drawn up new strike plans that could include the GBU-43/B, known as the MOAB or "mother of all bombs."

The plans would target Iranian energy sites and nuclear facilities if President Trump orders combat to resume, either before or after the midterm elections.

The MOAB is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal.

Using it in the Iran conflict would be a major escalation.

Some officials doubt it would help Trump reach his goals or change the course of the war.

Trump is under pressure to end the war, which is deeply unpopular at home.

Republicans fear voter anger ahead of the midterms.

There is little sign that the two sides are close to a deal after more than six months of US bombing.

Trump has said he will not take new action before the midterms.

But some advisers are not sure that promise is final.

Officials also say the Pentagon is looking for a way for Trump to claim a win and pull out, possibly by reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Experts say the MOAB is built to clear large areas and has a huge blast radius.

It is not designed to break deep underground sites such as Pickaxe Mountain, where the US and Israel believe Iran stored parts of its nuclear programme.

Officials also warn that its size could cause civilian deaths if it is used near populated areas.

Some see the weapon as a psychological tool rather than a real military answer.

Trump used the MOAB once before, in Afghanistan in 2017, against ISIS tunnels.

The White House says it does not comment on sensitive military plans, while the Pentagon says it plans for many possible scenarios.