President Donald Trump is considering unleashing America's most powerful non-nuclear bomb against Iran in a devastating new assault as pressure mounts to end the deeply unpopular war.
asserted
pressure → consider → war
The Pentagon has developed plans to deploy the 21,600-pound 'mother of all bombs' against Iranian nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure in what would represent a dramatic escalation of the six-month conflict.
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what → develop → conflict
The enormous weapon, officially known as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, is capable of devastating an area equivalent to nine city blocks.
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weapon → know → blocks
But military insiders have warned that the spectacular explosion might do little to achieve Trump's ultimate objective of forcing Tehran into submission.
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explosion → warn → submission
The plans, revealed by CNN following conversations with multiple US officials, could be implemented before or after November's midterm elections if Trump authorizes renewed combat operations.
The president has publicly pledged not to launch fresh attacks before voters head to the polls, although some advisers privately question whether that promise will hold.
Behind closed doors, administration officials are reportedly scrambling to find a way for Trump to declare victory and withdraw American forces without appearing to have backed down.
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Trump → reveal → forces
One source told CNN that the latest proposals include strikes on 'a lot of energy infrastructure' and the potential deployment of the MOAB.
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proposals → tell → MOAB
A Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) weapon is prepared for testing at the Eglin Air Force Armament Center in March 2003
A Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb, is launched in November 2003 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
Trump is facing mounting pressure to bring the six-month war to an end, but reportedly fears that withdrawing American forces without a decisive victory would make him appear defeated
The operation was reportedly discussed as taking place 'prior to US retrograde in CENTCOM AOR (area of responsibility).'
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operation → prepare → responsibility
That wording suggests the White House could authorize a final, overwhelming bombardment before announcing victory and rapidly withdrawing troops from the region.
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House → suggest → region
Another source revealed that the enormous bomb features explicitly in plans to attack Iran's suspected nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex.
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bomb → reveal → complex
US and Israeli officials believe Tehran has stored components of its nuclear program at the site, which Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack.
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Trump → believe → which
But despite the MOAB's extraordinary destructive power, military experts have serious doubts about its ability to penetrate the thick layers of granite believed to protect the underground facility.
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experts → have → facility
Unlike specialized bunker-busting weapons, the MOAB is primarily designed to unleash a devastating blast across a vast area rather than drill deep beneath the earth.
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MOAB → bust → earth
'The MOAB is a massive information operation type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else,' a source familiar with Pentagon planning told CNN.
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source → tell → CNN
'It is definitely not designed as a deep penetration warhead.
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It → design → warhead
'
Nicknamed the 'mother of all bombs,' the 21,600-pound MOAB unleashes an enormous shockwave capable of devastating vast areas, although experts warn it is poorly suited to destroying nuclear facilities buried deep underground
The weapon could inflict catastrophic damage above ground while leaving deeply buried nuclear installations largely intact.
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weapon → nickname → installations
Its enormous blast radius would also raise serious concerns about civilian casualties, particularly if Iranian energy facilities near populated areas were targeted.
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facilities → raise → areas
Nevertheless, some officials believe the psychological impact of dropping such a terrifying weapon could demonstrate overwhelming American military strength without restarting a full-scale bombing campaign.
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impact → believe → campaign
'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 source added.
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source → put → which
The dilemma comes as Trump confronts growing frustration over a war that has dragged on for more than six months without a negotiated settlement.
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that → come → settlement
Republicans are increasingly anxious that the conflict could damage their electoral prospects in the approaching midterms, while the president remains reluctant to withdraw without securing a clear victory.
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president → damage → victory
Although some administration officials have suggested the United States has effectively won, Trump has stopped short of declaring the conflict over.
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conflict → suggest → ?
He has also reportedly resisted suggestions from outside allies that he should simply bring American forces home, arguing that such a withdrawal would be perceived as defeat.
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withdrawal → resist → defeat
Instead, senior advisers have spent weeks searching for a military or diplomatic breakthrough that would allow the administration to claim a decisive success.
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administration → spend → success
The Aporia
