CNN reported Thursday that U.S. defense planners recently mapped out novel bombing sequences against Iran's atomic and utility infrastructure. Should President Donald Trump command a military resumption near the upcoming midterms, these strategies might involve dropping the "mother of all bombs", insiders revealed, referring to the most powerful non-nuclear ordnance the U.S. has in its arsenal, officially GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast.
Sources informed CNN that recent directives demanded updated strike menus featuring the enormous explosive against "a lot of energy infrastructure". Because these discussions emphasized acting "prior to US retrograde in CENTCOM AOR (area of responsibility)," planners suspect the administration wants to launch a final barrage, declare victory, and rapidly evacuate.
With no diplomatic resolution in sight after six months of American airstrikes, Trump faces intense pressure to end the widely loathed war before voters rebel.
Acutely aware of public exhaustion, the administration spent recent months desperately seeking a "definitive" conclusion to the hostilities.Despite publicly promising a pre-election ceasefire, the president's aides secretly admit his stance could easily shift.
Another CNN contact confirmed the colossal explosive is natively integrated into plans targeting Iranian atomic sites like Pickaxe Mountain. For months, the American leader has threatened to attack the suspected subterranean nuclear storage facility, maintaining his mandate to prevent the adversary from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.
Efficacy doubts
However, critics doubt the satellite-guided explosive can breach the adversary's deepest radioactive sites. While its blast radius covers nine city blocks, informants suspect it lacks the penetrative power to shatter Pickaxe's thick granite shields..
"The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else," an insider told CNN. "It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead."
"POTUS has unfortunately put himself in a situation where he is almost compelled to do something and, without the ammunition designed to penetrate that level … you have to look at psychological effects for which the MOAB is well-equipped," the informant added.
CNN reported that planners are scrambling to manufacture an exit strategy granting the leader a "symbolic" triumph domestically, ideally without ruining chances for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. To achieve this, defense officials floated alternatives resembling a "fireworks show," a source told CNN, aiming to provide an excuse to walk away even if strikes miss.
Meanwhile, troops are bracing for severe retaliatory strikes, and upcoming regional deployments will likely see returning personnel leave without replacements. Declining to verify targeting blueprints, a White House spokesperson told CNN, "President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."
The massive warhead detonates just above the surface to maximize its shockwave. Upon its development, defense officials told CNN it was primarily constructed for "psychological operations."
Commanders originally hoped the sheer magnitude of the blast would shatter enemy morale. While initially meant to annihilate exposed infantry and unarmored structures, its target list expanded to cover shallow subterranean networks.
