What is the ‘Mother of All Bombs’? Why the US is considering its massive MOAB weapon for potential strikes on Iran

For its next move in the ongoing Iran conflict, US President Donald Trump is reportedly planning on using one of America’s most powerful weapons. The weapon, nicknamed the “mother of all bombs,” is known as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), and is capable of unleashing a massive explosion across a vast area. Its ability to destroy a deeply buried and protected nuclear facility in Iran is still in question.

According to a CNN exclusive, citing US officials familiar with military planning, potential strike options include using the MOAB against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites.

What is the ‘Mother of All Bombs’?

The GBU-43/B MOAB is a GPS guided conventional high explosive bomb built by the US Air Force. With a weight of around 21,600 pounds (9,800 kilograms) and a length of roughly 30 feet, it is the biggest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal.

While a bunker buster bomb penetrates deep into the ground, the MOAB is a type of warhead with an air blast mechanism that detonates in mid-air creating an explosion from all directions. According to CNN, its destructive force is capable of affecting an area equal to nine city blocks, but the exact damage will depend on the surrounding terrain and buildings.

The bomb was developed in the early 2000s and was meant for use against mass troops, equipment and some fortified positions.

Why is the US considering using MOAB against Iran?

CNN reported that US military planners have developed options targeting Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, including the suspected underground site at Pickaxe Mountain. Washington and Israel believe the facility contains components of Iran’s nuclear programme.

The reported plans come as the Trump administration explores ways to end the conflict while presenting the outcome as a strategic victory. However, the existence of military options does not mean Trump has authorised a MOAB strike.

A White House official told CNN: “President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”

Can the MOAB destroy Iran’s underground nuclear sites?

The outlet quoted US sources expressing doubt about the bomb’s effectiveness at going into depths needed to cause damage to sites protected by dense layers of granite rock.

The MOAB is a bomb made for a huge blast at the surface rather than penetrating deep. The United States also has the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, which is another type of bomb weighing 30,000 pounds meant especially for deep buried target sites.

CNN’s sources said that the MOAB could still be useful for a psychological effect even though its capability to destroy highly protected sites of nuclear facilities in Iran is dubious.

When did the US first use the mother of all bombs?

The US used the MOAB in a combat situation for the first time on April 13, 2017, during the first term of President Donald Trump. The target was an ISIS-K tunnel complex in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan.

According to Afghan officials, 36 ISIS militants died in the attack. US and Afghan officials also stated that the attack successfully destroyed tunnels and weapons and important sites with no casualties among civilians.

The MOAB was also meant to serve as a weapon of intimidation. Now, its psychological impact is especially relevant in regard to Iran, where a spectacular use of force could demonstrate the readiness of the US military without necessarily destroying buried targets.