Tensions between the United States and Iran are raising concerns about a possible escalation of military conflict. According to reports, the US military has developed new plans targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities. These plans reportedly include the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), widely known as the “Mother of All Bombs.” The United States last used this massive non-nuclear weapon in Afghanistan in 2017.
The reported military plans include several options for striking Iranian energy facilities and sites associated with its nuclear programme. If President Donald Trump authorises further military action, the administration may seek an outcome it can present as a strategic victory. However, the precise objectives of any potential operation remain uncertain, and the use of a powerful conventional weapon could intensify the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The MOAB is one of the largest non-nuclear bombs in the US military arsenal, weighing approximately 9,800 kilograms, or around 10 tons. It uses GPS guidance to reach its intended target and is designed to be deployed from a large aircraft, such as a modified C-130. The weapon was developed during the Iraq War and was first tested in 2003 before being used in combat in Afghanistan in April 2017. Despite its enormous explosive power, it is not a nuclear weapon.
Reports also suggest that US military planners have considered options for attacking Iranian facilities believed to be located deep underground. However, questions remain about how effective the MOAB would be against heavily fortified or deeply buried targets. Designed primarily to strike large areas containing troops, military equipment and certain surface-level fortifications, the bomb's potential use against Iran could mark a significant escalation in the conflict. Any decision to deploy it would carry serious military and geopolitical implications.
