The U.S. military has drafted options for potential strikes on Iran, including the possible deployment of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb (MOAB), according to reporting by CNN and confirmed by multiple U.S. officials. The 21,600-pound bomb, nicknamed the "mother of all bombs," has not been used in strikes inside Iran but was deployed in Afghanistan in 2017 under the Trump administration. The Pentagon has not confirmed these plans, and CNBC has not independently verified the report.
The proposed strikes are part of broader military options under review as tensions escalate in the Middle East, including the sinking of a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz and a series of fatal attacks on Saudi Arabia attributed to the Iran-backed Houthis. The White House faces growing domestic pressure to demonstrate progress in Middle East policy ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, with concerns over rising energy prices and broader economic costs influencing public sentiment.
U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly stated he would not authorize renewed military strikes before the midterms, though officials have privately discussed potential actions before or after the election. The Pentagon’s options reportedly include strikes on energy infrastructure and other targets, with the MOAB considered for its ability to devastate large areas. Some military insiders have cautioned that such strikes may not achieve the stated objective of forcing Iran into submission.
In response, Iranian leaders have reiterated their stance, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stating that Tehran will continue using a combination of military, defensive, and diplomatic measures to counter U.S. pressure. Ghalibaf emphasized that Iran’s goal is to compel the U.S. to lift sanctions, end its naval blockade, and withdraw military forces from the region. Iranian officials have also strengthened defenses around sensitive energy and nuclear sites, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The potential use of the MOAB marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for six months. While the bomb’s deployment has not been confirmed, its consideration reflects the escalating stakes for both the U.S. and Iran as diplomatic and military postures harden.