{
  "id": 15193670,
  "title": "Why Trump's plan to unleash 'Mother Of All Bombs' may fall flat in Iran",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/why-trumps-plan-to-unleash-mother-of-all-bombs-may-fall-flat-in-iran",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-17T12:08:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/international/why-trumps-plan-to-unleash-mother-of-all-bombs-may-fall-flat-in-iran/articleshow/135013755.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The \"Mother of All Bombs\" (MOAB) has a fearsome reputation, weighing just under 10,000 kg. It made its combat debut in Afghanistan in 2017, producing images that reinforced its potency. However, Iran's most crucial nuclear and military facilities are deeply buried or shielded by reinforced concrete, making the MOAB an unsuitable choice for a targeted strike.Designed as an air-burst weapon, the MOAB explodes above the surface, spreading a powerful overpressure wave horizontally. While effective against unprotected structures and personnel, it may not penetrate heavily fortified underground complexes. Iran's nuclear programme has led to extensive underground construction and hardening of key facilities, which the MOAB's blast may not destroy.The MOAB's limitations are compounded by the mountainous terrain in Iran, which can absorb and disperse the shockwaves of an explosion. Aircraft carrying the MOAB would also face risks as it requires transport from a specially modified MC-130 aircraft, which is less survivable than stealth bombers in contested airspace.The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, designed for deeply buried facilities, contrasts with the MOAB's air-burst design. It has a hardened casing to penetrate layers of rock and reinforced concrete before exploding. The GBU-57 was used successfully against Iranian nuclear sites in 2025, highlighting the need for penetrator weapons over large air-blast munitions in such scenarios.",
  "summary": "Military discussions are considering the use of the MOAB against Iran's nuclear facilities and military targets. However, the effectiveness of the MOAB is limited against deeply buried sites protected by reinforced concrete. Analysts highlight that the GBU-57 penetrator is better suited for such underground facilities, which require specialized weapons for effective targeting. While the MOAB has…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}