World · 19 d ago
Washington weighs its biggest non-nuclear bomb against Iran
The weapon
Massive Ordnance Air Blast
US military plans include the GBU-43/B bomb, nicknamed the “mother of all bombs”, against Iran's energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if President Donald Trump orders renewed strikes, according to US officials cited in reports.
High explosives in one bomb
8,500 kg
The bomb carries about 8,500 kg of high explosives and has been used only once, against an Islamic State cave and tunnel complex in Afghanistan in 2017.
What we know
- Plans target energy and nuclear sites
- Trump ruled out strikes before the Nov 3 midterms
Not yet
- Whether Trump has authorized its use
- Whether it can reach buried nuclear sites
US officials doubt the bomb could destroy deeply buried sites such as Pickaxe Mountain, near Natanz, because it is not built to punch through rock like a bunker buster.
“I wouldn't use nuclear. We don't have to,” Trump said on Thursday, ruling out a nuclear weapon against Iran for the first time.
— Donald Trump
