CNN: US Considers Using 'Mother of All Bombs' Against Iran

Reuters, citing CNN, reported that the US military is weighing the possible use of the so-called 'Mother of All Bombs' in potential future strikes against Iran.

According to Reuters, CNN adds that if US President Donald Trump decides to resume military operations against Iran, Iran's energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities may be among the possible targets of these attacks.

Known as the "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB), the GBU-43/B bomb is one of the US military's most powerful non-nuclear bombs. In 2017, this weapon was used for the first time in the US military operation against ISIS positions in Afghanistan.

However, according to the Reuters report, there is still a debate in military circles about the possible effectiveness of this bomb and its role in realizing the strategic goals of the United States.

Reuters emphasized that it could not independently verify the CNN report; Therefore, the published news does not mean making a final decision to use this weapon against Iran.

What is the mother of all bombs (GBU-43/B) and where was it used?

The GBU-43/B bomb, known as the "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB), is one of the US military's largest and most powerful non-nuclear conventional bombs; A weapon that was first used in April 2017 against the positions of ISIS in Khorasan in Afghanistan.

A bomb with more than 9 tons of explosives

The official name of this weapon is Massive Ordnance Air Blast, abbreviated as MOAB. This name means "massive air blast ammunition"; But the famous title "mother of all bombs" is also used to refer to its dimensions and explosive power.

This bomb weighs about 9.5 tons and its length reaches about 9 meters. Most of its weight is made up of explosives. This weapon is guided using a satellite guidance system and navigation equipment and is designed to attack large surface targets and locations such as tunnel complexes and caves.

The first operational use in Afghanistan

The US Army used this bomb in military operations for the first time on April 13, 2017. The target was a series of tunnels and ISIS positions in Khorasan in Achin region, located in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan and near the Pakistan border.

American military officials announced at that time that this attack was aimed at hitting ISIS forces and facilities in Khorasan and reducing the risk to American and Afghan forces during ground operations. According to the US military, the group used tunnels, shelters and improvised explosive devices to strengthen its defensive positions.

A bomb that was made for the Iraq war, but was not used in it

The development of GBU-43/B was done in 2003 on the eve of the Iraq war. Although this weapon was prepared for possible use in that war, the bomb was not used in Iraq and its first combat use took place about 14 years later in Afghanistan.

Is the "mother of all bombs" a nuclear bomb?

no The GBU-43/B is a conventional, non-nuclear weapon and should not be equated with nuclear bombs or special weapons for penetrating very deep underground facilities. Its destructive power is caused by the huge explosion of explosives and the resulting pressure wave.

Despite the high explosive power, this bomb is not suitable for all purposes, and the characteristics of the target, the depth of the fortifications and the level of protection of the facilities play a role in its effectiveness. Therefore, raising the possibility of using this weapon against Iran alone does not mean a definitive decision to use it or prove its effectiveness against any type of underground facilities.