Washington considers using "Mother of All Bombs" against Iranian facilities
Amman3 min read
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CNN reported, citing US officials familiar with military planning, that the US military has prepared plans to launch new strikes on Iran, including the potential use of the "Mother of All Bombs" to target energy facilities and nuclear sites, if US President Donald Trump orders the resumption of combat operations before or after the midterm elections.
The network stated that the use of the "GBU-43/B" bomb, known as the "Mother of All Bombs," for the first time in the war with Iran would represent a significant escalation, despite doubts from informed sources regarding its ability to achieve US military and strategic objectives.
The plans come at a time when Trump is facing pressure to end the war, which is widely unpopular in the United States, while Republicans prepare for potential political repercussions in the midterm elections. There have been no clear signs that Washington and Tehran are close to reaching a settlement, more than six months after the start of US bombardment.
According to CNN, Trump ordered the military to prepare additional options to strike Iranian targets, including energy facilities, while plans to target nuclear sites, including the "Fordow" mountain, include the possibility of using the same bomb. The United States and Israel believe that Iran is storing components of its nuclear program at the site.
Doubts about effectiveness
The network quoted informed sources as saying that there are doubts about the bomb's ability to penetrate deep underground fortifications, especially since some Iranian nuclear facilities are believed to be protected by layers of granite.
The bomb weighs about 21,600 pounds and is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal. It detonates in the air before hitting the ground, allowing it to create a wide-scale blast, but it is not primarily designed to penetrate deep underground.
A source familiar with the military discussions told the network that the bomb is effective at destroying large areas, but is not designed to penetrate deep fortifications, adding that its use might have more psychological effects than being a decisive means to destroy fortified nuclear facilities.
The sources warned that the massive explosion could cause significant civilian casualties, especially if facilities near populated areas or non-military sites are targeted.
Options to end the war
CNN indicated that the US administration is looking for an exit from the war that would allow Trump to claim a symbolic victory without closing the door to a diplomatic settlement, including reaching an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Although Trump has expressed reservations about sending US ground troops to Iran, his desire to end the war quickly is clashing with the failure to reach an agreement. A White House official told the network that the administration does not comment on sensitive military plans, confirming that Trump keeps all options on the table to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon.
Trump previously authorized the use of the bomb in Afghanistan in 2017, during his first term, against Islamic State positions, in its first-ever use. Afghan officials said at the time that the strike killed 36 of the organization's fighters and destroyed tunnels and weapons caches, with no civilian casualties.
