Full Breakdown
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Says It Is Preparing a “Father of All Bombs” Amid U.S. Massive Ordinance Air Blast (MOAB) Threats
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 21, 2026, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it is preparing to unveil a new weapon dubbed the “Father of All Bombs.” IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi told Iran’s Young Journalists Club that the weapon is “something new for the enemy,” but gave no details on its type, power, or a public unveiling date.
Background & Context
The statement follows U.S. media reports that the Pentagon has drafted plans to employ the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) against Iranian nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump referenced the possibility on October 16, noting the 9.8-metric-ton bomb, first used in April 2017 against an ISIS tunnel complex in Afghanistan.
The IRGC’s comment comes amid a broader escalation that began with a war launched in February 2026 involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Tehran responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets in Arab states, and a June 2026 memorandum of understanding over Strait of Hormuz navigation collapsed.
Data & Statistics
- MOAB weight: ~9,800 kg (21,600 lb).
- IRGC missile stockpile growth: IRGC claims the inventory has risen by 50 % (per some reports) or 1.5 times (per others) since the June 2025 Iran-Israel conflict. No independent verification is available.
- Strait of Hormuz status: IRGC asserts the waterway is “completely closed” to U.S. and Israeli warships, allowing only vessels with Iranian permission to pass.
Official Statements & Responses
- The IRGC emphasizes a shift to “persistent and robust deterrence,” indicating future Iranian responses could be offensive.
- President Trump, in an interview, said the U.S. is not currently negotiating with Iran.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Missile stockpile increase: Figures of 50 % and 150 % are both attributed to Mohebi, but no quantitative data have been released.
- Weapon specifics: No source provides concrete information about the “Father of All Bombs,” such as delivery platform, yield, or intended targets.
- Strait of Hormuz navigation: While the IRGC claims the strait is closed, it acknowledges a few small vessels may slip through by disabling tracking equipment, describing such passages as “piracy and smuggling.” Independent verification is absent.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are in the stage of preparing to unveil the ‘father of all bombs.’ This is something new for the enemy,” — Hossein Mohebi, IRGC spokesman
- “No, I think we’re not negotiating with – we are going to have something one way or the other. It’ll happen fairly soon.” — Donald Trump
What’s Next
President Trump indicated that a U.S. decision regarding the MOAB “will happen fairly soon,” referencing the upcoming U.S. midterm elections on November 3. No formal U.S. statement confirming MOAB use has been issued, and the IRGC has not announced a specific date for unveiling its new weapon.