U.S. Military Weighs MOAB Strike Options Against Iranian Targets

U.S. officials say the Pentagon has drafted strike packages that could employ the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, including the “Pickaxe Mountain” facility. The plans are reportedly being readied for a possible order from President Donald Trump either before or after the upcoming midterm elections, should he decide to resume combat operations.

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The 21,600-lb bomb, tested at Eglain Air Force Base, Florida, on November 21, 2003, is the largest non-nuclear weapon in the U.S. arsenal. It creates an explosion covering roughly nine city blocks but is not designed for deep penetration; sources note it would likely affect only surface structures. The MOAB was first used by the Trump administration in 2017 against ISIS tunnel networks in Afghanistan, destroying three tunnels and killing 36 fighters without civilian casualties, according to Afghan and U.S. officials.

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Multiple sources familiar with the planning process argue the MOAB’s surface-burst effect would be insufficient against hardened underground nuclear facilities, which are believed to be protected by layers of granite. Analysts also note that, absent a ground-troop invasion, the bomb would serve more as a psychological signal than a decisive military tool.

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• “The Department of War plans for a wide range of operational scenarios to execute Presidential and Secretary-level direction and to ensure mission success in any operational environment.” — Pentagon official

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