US military planners weigh deploying the massive MOAB conventional bomb against Iranian targets if combat operations resume.
The U.S. military is reportedly considering the potential use of one of its most powerful conventional weapons against Iranian targets if President Donald Trump orders a resumption of combat operations, according to CNN. The reported options include Iran’s energy infrastructure and nuclear-related sites, raising questions about how Washington might escalate its military campaign if diplomatic efforts fail.
The MOAB Weapon System
The weapon under consideration is the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, widely known as the “Mother of All Bombs,” or MOAB. Designed to deliver an enormous conventional explosive blast, the weapon is among the largest non-nuclear bombs in the American arsenal. Its potential use against Iran would represent a significant development in any renewed military confrontation.
The GBU-43/B weighs approximately 9,800 kilograms, or 21,600 pounds, and carries roughly 8,500 kilograms of high explosives. Unlike nuclear weapons, the MOAB relies on conventional explosives. However, its immense size and destructive power make it a specialized weapon intended for targets where a massive blast effect is required.