For the First Time: US Plans to Drop 'Mother of All Bombs' on Iran's Nuclear Program

CNN reported on Thursday that the US military has developed new offensive plans that include the potential use of the so-called "Mother of All Bombs" to target Iran's energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities.

The network, citing informed sources, stated that the use of the bomb is contingent on an order from President Donald Trump to resume combat operations, either before or after the midterm elections, according to US officials familiar with the matter.

One source told the network that Trump issued orders for the military to prepare additional attack plans against Iranian targets, including "a lot of energy infrastructure," with the possibility of using the "MOAB" (Massive Ordnance Air Blast) bomb, which is the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal.

The same source noted that the wording used indicated that this attack would occur before the withdrawal of US forces from the Central Command area of responsibility, suggesting that the administration may launch these additional strikes, then declare victory, and quickly withdraw all its forces.

Another source told the network that military plans to strike Iranian nuclear sites - including the "Mountain Axe" site - explicitly stipulate the use of the "Mother of All Bombs."

Multiple sources familiar with internal military planning discussions regarding the potential use of the GBU-43/B weapon - known as the "Mother of All Bombs" - said that its first use in the conflict with Iran would represent a significant escalation, despite doubts about its effectiveness in achieving any of the strategic objectives announced by Trump, or in changing the balance of the war.

In recent months, Trump has repeatedly threatened to strike this site, which the United States and Israel believe Tehran stores components of its nuclear program there, even after the cessation of comprehensive combat operations earlier this year. Trump also continues to emphasize that his goal is to ensure that Iran never possesses a nuclear weapon.

Trump faces pressure to end this widely unpopular war, as Republicans prepare to face potential political repercussions from voters in the upcoming midterm elections, especially since there are few signs that the two countries are approaching a negotiated settlement, more than six months after the US bombardment.

While the US military continues to provide Trump with options for launching potential strikes against remaining Iranian targets, some officials privately question whether the White House has a strategy that integrates these plans into an approach capable of actually ending the war; something only the president has the authority to do.

The network says that over months, Trump and his advisors discussed options that could form a "decisive" end to the war - at least from a propaganda perspective - aware of how unpopular this conflict is among Americans.

While some administration officials considered the war effectively settled, Trump took a more cautious stance in his recent remarks; he avoided declaring victory, indicating that the United States still has unfinished tasks in that country.

Behind the scenes, Trump also expressed skepticism toward some allies outside his administration who encouraged him to simply withdraw US troops home and close the file. Trump believes that doing so would look like a defeat.

Over the past few weeks, White House advisors held meetings to discuss various options related to Iran. While Trump publicly announced that he would not take any new actions before the midterm elections, several of his advisors - in private conversations - said they were unsure whether this statement was final or might change before Election Day.