Pentagon Develops Strike Options Including MOAB for Potential Iran Escalation Amid Stalemated Conflict

Multiple US officials have confirmed that the Pentagon has prepared contingency plans that could involve the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) bomb—colloquially known as the 'mother of all bombs'—for strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, should President Trump authorize renewed combat operations. The plans, first detailed in a CNN report citing anonymous sources familiar with internal discussions, target sites including the suspected underground nuclear storage at Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz.[1][2]

The MOAB, the largest non-nuclear weapon in the US arsenal at approximately 21,600 pounds, was previously used once in combat during a 2017 strike on an ISIS cave complex in Afghanistan. Military planners note its blast radius could affect surface-level energy targets effectively, but express significant doubts about its utility against deeply buried, hardened sites like those at Pickaxe Mountain, which feature granite reinforcement. Sources describe some options as potentially serving a 'fireworks show' or information operation purpose to provide a messaging victory and off-ramp rather than a decisive strategic shift.[3][4]

This development occurs against the backdrop of Operation Epic Fury, the US-Israeli air campaign that began in late February 2026 and has since transitioned into a protracted stalemate. Iran has responded with asymmetric tactics, including attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while facing severe economic strain from sanctions. Trump has publicly signaled reluctance for new actions before the November midterms due to the war's unpopularity, yet internal planning continues amid stalled diplomacy. White House and Pentagon statements emphasize keeping all options open to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, without confirming specific plans.[5][6]

Broader implications include heightened risks of escalation in a conflict already disrupting global energy markets, with oil prices surging above $100 amid Hormuz disruptions. Analysts highlight how such massive conventional munitions underscore limitations in addressing fortified underground targets, potentially driving further reliance on precision strikes or diplomatic pressure rather than spectacle weapons.