Brief
US may deploy MOAB against Iranian targets as war enters eighth month
The GBU‑43/B, the largest non‑nuclear bomb in the US arsenal, is being considered for use in the ongoing US‑Iran war.
By Felo News Desk · Published
U.S. officials told CNN that strike plans under development could include the GBU‑43/B, popularly known as the “Mother of All Bombs” (MOAB), against Iranian energy infrastructure or nuclear facilities if President Donald Trump orders renewed combat operations, according to a Khaleej Times live‑blog article dated 15 October 2026.
What happened
The US‑Iran war, now in its eighth month, began on 28 February 2026. The article notes that Trump previously hinted at resuming strikes after the 3 November midterm elections, linking the war’s unpopularity to Republican electoral prospects.
What the reports add
The piece explains that the MOAB is the most powerful conventional weapon in the US arsenal, officially the GBU‑43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast. It weighs about 21,600 lb (9.8 tonnes), is roughly 30 ft (9.1 m) long, and carries an explosive payload of around 18,700 lb (8.5 tonnes). Deployed from a transport aircraft, it detonates in the air to affect large‑area targets such as caves and tunnel complexes, covering an area equivalent to nine city blocks.
What was said
According to the Khaleej Times, officials told CNN that the bomb “may be used against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if President Donald Trump orders renewed combat operations.” The article also cites analysts who suggest the MOAB could be a psychological tool, while others doubt its ability to destroy deep‑buried nuclear facilities.
How it came about
The MOAB was first used in combat during Trump’s first term, dropped on an Islamic State tunnel complex in Afghanistan in April 2017, killing an estimated 92 militants. Developed in nine weeks for the 2003 Iraq war, it remains the largest non‑nuclear bomb, though heavier bunker‑buster weapons such as the GBU‑57 exist.
Key facts
- US officials told CNN the MOAB could be used against Iranian targets if President Trump orders it (khaleejtimes.com)
- The MOAB weighs about 21,600 lb, is 30 ft long, and carries an 18,700 lb explosive payload (khaleejtimes.com)
- The bomb was first used in combat in April 2017 on an ISIS tunnel complex in Afghanistan (khaleejtimes.com)
Sources
- [1] khaleejtimes.com — originally reported as “Explained: What is US 'Mother of All Bombs' that Trump may use in Iran war?”
