Donald Trump appears to need assistance from aide to sit down
Donald Trump's US military is understood to be drawing up plans that could see them use the “mother of all bombs” to target Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, it is reported. The US president could give the order to resume combat operations either before or after the midterm elections. The plans reportedly include the possible use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, known as the MOAB. It is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal and its use in Iran would mark a major escalation in the conflict.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and has threatened further strikes against the country. However, there are reportedly questions within the US military over whether the huge bomb would be effective against some of Iran's heavily protected nuclear facilities.
CNN reports that new strike plans have been drawn up by the US military as officials continue to present Trump with different options for potential attacks. One source told the outlet that Trump had ordered additional strike packages to be developed against Iranian targets, including "a lot of energy infrastructure" and the potential use of the MOAB.
Another source said plans for attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, including Pickaxe Mountain, also specifically included the weapon. The US and Israel believe components of Iran's nuclear programme have been stored at the site. However, the MOAB may not be capable of reaching facilities buried deep underground.
The GPS-guided bomb can devastate a huge area on the surface, but it was not designed as a deep-penetration weapon. One source familiar with military planning told CNN: "The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else. It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead."
Its enormous blast area could also raise concerns about civilian casualties if it were used against infrastructure close to populated areas. The weapon could instead potentially be used for its psychological impact.
The MOAB was developed during the Iraq War and explodes before reaching the ground, sending a powerful blast out across a large area.
Trump became the first US president to use the weapon in combat during his first term.
In 2017, it was dropped on an ISIS tunnel complex in Afghanistan. Afghan officials said 36 ISIS fighters were killed, while US and Afghan officials said no civilians were hurt.
The latest plans come as Trump faces pressure to find a way out of the conflict with Iran.
He has indicated that he does not want to send US ground troops into the country and has recently said he would hold off on further strikes before the midterm elections.
However, officials reportedly remain unsure whether that position could change.
Asked about the reported plans, a White House official told CNN that the administration does not comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist.
The official added: "President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."