Overview
- U.S. outlets, citing American officials and unnamed military insiders, reported Thursday that planning documents include scenarios that would use the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb against Iranian energy and nuclear infrastructure.
- The GBU-43/B, the largest non‑nuclear bomb in the U.S. arsenal, creates a huge surface blast but is not built to penetrate deep rock and concrete, and insiders say it is unlikely to destroy multi‑layered underground nuclear sites.
- President Trump has publicly denied plans to attack Iran before the congressional midterms and said the U.S. is engaged in constructive talks with Tehran, while officials say all military options remain under review.
- An IRGC spokesman warned that strikes before the midterms are a realistic possibility and said Iran is prepared, reflecting Tehran’s distrust of U.S. statements even as Washington emphasizes diplomacy.
- Analysts and officials say using the MOAB could be aimed at psychological effect as well as physical damage, but it would carry high escalation and diplomatic costs and may prompt wider regional fallout and retaliation.