{
  "id": 14744174,
  "title": "Why US is weighing ‘Mother of all bombs’ strikes against Iran",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/why-us-is-weighing-mother-of-all-bombs-strikes-against-iran",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T16:55:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-iran-conflict-mother-of-all-bombs-moab-pickaxe-mountain-donald-trump-10923419/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The US military is reportedly considering the use of the \"Mother of all bombs\" in military operations against Iran. This decision could be made if President Donald Trump approves renewed combat operations before or after the midterms. The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, or MOAB, is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal, weighing 9,800 kg and containing 8.5 tonnes of explosive. It was first tested in 2003 and detonates in the air, a few feet above the ground, spreading the blast wave over a wide area and destroying buildings and surface structures. Analysts say the MOAB would destroy everything above ground within a 1 km radius. However, military officials doubt the bomb can reach Iran's suspected nuclear facilities, which are reportedly protected by layers of granite or other hard materials. The bomb's limited penetration capabilities make it less effective against deep bunkers.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "Trump weighs ‘mother of all bombs’ strike on Iran’s nuclear and energy sites: What is it?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/trump-weighs-mother-of-all-bombs-strike-on-irans-nuclear-and-energy",
        "published": "2026-10-15T14:43:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "What is the ‘Mother of All Bombs’ US could use in Iran?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/what-is-the-mother-of-all-bombs-us-could-use-in-iran",
        "published": "2026-10-15T15:46:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "US reportedly considers ‘Mother of All Bombs’ for potential strikes on Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/us-reportedly-considers-mother-of-all-bombs-for-potential-strikes-on",
        "published": "2026-10-15T17:21:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "White House prepares plans to use \"mother of all bombs\" on Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/white-house-prepares-plans-to-use-mother-of-all-bombs-on-iran",
        "published": "2026-10-15T19:25:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}