The United States is considering deploying its largest non-nuclear bomb against Iran if President Donald Trump decides to resume military operations in the conflict, CNN has reported.
The report said US military planners were considering using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), popularly known as the “Mother of All Bombs”, against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities.
CNN cited officials familiar with the discussions, although no final decision to use the weapon has been announced.
The development comes as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February, remain stalled.
Trump is also facing pressure ahead of November’s US midterm elections, with polls reportedly indicating that the war and rising fuel and other prices are hurting his Republican Party.
However, officials have questioned whether the MOAB would be effective against suspected underground nuclear facilities in Iran.
“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 United States and Israel have maintained that their military campaign was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Tehran has repeatedly denied seeking to acquire them.
The potential use of the bomb has also raised concerns about civilian casualties because of its destructive power.
Washington has reportedly reduced military operations in recent weeks, placing greater emphasis on economic pressure against Iran.
The Pentagon had not publicly responded to the report at the time of publication.
The MOAB was used by the US military in Afghanistan in 2017 against Islamic State hideouts in a network of tunnels and bunkers. More than 90 militants were reported killed in the strike.
