Since 15 Oct
US military planners have drawn up options for renewed strikes on Iran that could include the GBU-43/B MOAB against energy and nuclear sites. Trump says no strike will come before the 3 November 2026 midterms and has ruled out nuclear weapons and ground forces.
CNN and ABC News, citing US officials, report that military planners prepared options for resumed combat operations against Iran. The options cover Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, including the suspected Pickaxe Mountain site. Reporting does not establish that Trump has approved any strike.
The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb is the largest non-nuclear weapon in the US arsenal. Bloomberg reported on 16 October that it could work against some military targets but would probably do little against facilities buried deep under mountains.
Trump said on 16 October the US would not use nuclear weapons and does not expect ground troops. On Pickaxe Mountain he said the US may have to go there, and he declined to confirm whether the MOAB had been authorised or to rule it out after the midterms. Iran has strengthened its air defences, Bloomberg reports.
The test is whether Trump orders strikes after the 3 November vote, and whether the MOAB is part of that order.
US midterm elections, before which Trump says no Iran strike will come
cnn.comDonald Trump, US President
Says no strike will come before the 3 November midterms, has ruled out nuclear weapons and ground troops, and has not ruled out the MOAB afterwards.
CNN, US broadcaster that broke the story
Reported on 15 October, citing US officials, that planners prepared options for renewed strikes on Iran.
US military planners, Pentagon planning staff
Have prepared options for resumed operations covering Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, including the MOAB.
CNN, citing US officials, reported that military planners prepared options for renewed Iran strikes that could use the GBU-43/B bomb against energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, including Pickaxe Mountain. Officials questioned its effectiveness against buried targets. Timing could fall before or after the 3 November midterms.