US military personnel are developing plans for possible strikes on Iran using the super-powerful non-nuclear bomb GBU-43/B MOAB, known as the "mother of all bombs". This was reported on October 15 by CNN television channel, citing several American officials familiar with discussions within the military leadership.
According to the channel's sources, the new plans envisage possible strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities if US President Donald Trump orders a resumption of hostilities - before the midterm congressional elections in early November or after them.
According to CNN, Trump personally instructed the military to develop additional options for strikes on Iranian targets. One of them involves the destruction of a significant portion of the country's energy infrastructure with the possible use of MOAB. Another source reported that this bomb was also included in plans for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
In recent months, Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack a site called "Kirk Mountain," where, according to US and Israeli assessments, Iran stores components of its nuclear program.
The American military usually offers political leadership various courses of action - from simple to complex. To defeat targets located deep underground, munitions with special characteristics are needed. However, experts doubt that even MOAB will be able to effectively destroy Iran's deeply buried nuclear facilities, protected, in particular, by granite rock.
MOAB is the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal. Its mass is about 9800 kilograms. The bomb has a GPS guidance system and explodes before impact with the ground, creating a powerful shockwave. According to estimates, its explosion can destroy everything in an area comparable to nine city blocks.
The bomb was developed during the Iraq War. In 2003, during the final testing phase, US military officials reported that it was primarily intended for psychological impact.
At the same time, Trump had previously made it clear that he was not interested in a large-scale ground operation against Iran, which could cost the lives of thousands of American service members. Some members of his administration and independent analysts believe that without the introduction of ground troops, it would be difficult to achieve a complete military defeat of Iran.
As CNN notes, Trump's desire to end the conflict as quickly as possible creates a complex political dilemma for him, especially ahead of the midterm elections in the US.
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