The United States military is weighing the use of its largest non-nuclear bomb against Iran, should President Donald Trump decide to resume fighting in a war that has stalled, CNN reported on Thursday.
Citing officials familiar with the matter, the network said the Pentagon is planning for the possible use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, popularly known as the “Mother of All Bombs” (MOAB), against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites.
However, officials have questioned how effective the weapon would be, especially against suspected underground nuclear facilities in the Islamic republic.
“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.”
There are also fears that the bomb’s sheer size could lead to civilian casualties.
The war began in February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Washington and Israel say the action was needed to stop Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a goal Iran has long denied pursuing. Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have been deadlocked since the summer.
In recent weeks, Washington has scaled back military operations in favour of economic pressure.
Trump is said to be seeking ways to lift his low approval ratings ahead of the November midterm elections. Polls show the unpopular war, along with the rise in fuel and other prices it has triggered, is hurting the Republican Party.
The US last used the MOAB in 2017 in Afghanistan, where it targeted Islamic State group hideouts in a network of tunnels and bunkers, killing more than 90 militants.
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