US considers using ‘Mother of All Bombs’ against Iran: CNN

The United States is considering using the “Mother of All Bombs” against Iran if President Donald Trump decides to renew combat in the deadlocked war, CNN reported on Thursday.

Military planners are weighing the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, according to officials familiar with the matter.

What is the Mother of All Bombs?

The GBU-43/B MOAB, nicknamed the “Mother of All Bombs”, is the biggest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal. The US military dropped it in Afghanistan in 2017 on Islamic State group hideouts in a complex of tunnels and bunkers, killing more than 90 militants.

Why is the US considering using the Mother of All Bombs on Iran?

Trump is trying to boost his low approval ratings ahead of November’s midterm elections. Polls show the unpopular war in Iran, and the fuel and other price rises it has caused, are hurting his Republican Party.

The conflict erupted with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Diplomatic efforts to end it have been at an impasse since the summer, and Washington has in recent weeks dialed back military operations in favor of economic pressure.

The United States and Israel have said the war was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a goal Tehran has long denied pursuing.

Can the MOAB destroy underground nuclear sites?

Officials have raised doubts over the efficacy of the bomb if it were deployed, particularly its ability to destroy suspected underground nuclear sites 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 concerns over the possibility of civilian casualties from such a huge weapon. AFP has contacted the Pentagon for comment.