What is the ‘Mother of All Bombs’ US may use in Iran?

The United States is contemplating the potential use of a powerful weapon dubbed the "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB) in future military actions against Iran, according to reports from CNN. However, the network has not confirmed whether President Donald Trump has authorized such an attack. The source of the information states that the report is based on military contingency plans, without providing confirmation from the White House or Pentagon.

The MOAB, also known as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, is a large, guided conventional bomb weighing around 9,800kg and carrying approximately 8,500kg of explosives. It is designed to be delivered from a C-130 aircraft and detonates above ground, producing a blast effect capable of damaging cave and tunnel systems. However, its effectiveness against deeply buried underground facilities, such as Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site, remains uncertain.

Military analysts question whether the MOAB can destroy targets protected by thick layers of rock, as the weapon is not specifically designed for deep-penetration operations. The Pentagon has been exploring options to target Iran's most heavily fortified nuclear facilities, but the MOAB is not the same as a bunker-buster weapon like the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is heavier and specifically designed to penetrate underground structures.

First used in Afghanistan in April 2017, the MOAB's destructive power has been proven. However, its deployment against Iran's nuclear sites is still a reported option, with questions about its ability to achieve a decisive military outcome due to the complex nature of the potential targets and potential civilian casualties.