US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he does not intend to use nuclear weapons against Iran.
Trump added, during an interview with Newsmax: “I will not use nuclear weapons, we don’t need that.”
The American President mentioned about the GBU-43/B bomb, known as “MOAB” or “Mother of All Bombs”, which is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the American arsenal: “It is not nuclear at all, but rather it is just a very huge bomb; more like a miniature nuclear bomb, but the mother of all bombs is one big bomb, not nuclear.”
Trump's statements came after sources revealed to CNN that the US military has prepared new plans to launch strikes - which may include using the "mother of all bombs" to target Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities for the first time in the conflict, in the event that Trump issues an order to resume combat operations, whether before or after the midterm elections.
This will represent a remarkable escalation, although there are doubts about its effectiveness in achieving any of the strategic goals announced by Trump or in tipping the scales of the war.
Trump is facing pressure to end this war, which enjoys widespread popular opposition, at a time when Republicans are preparing to face possible political repercussions from voters in the upcoming midterm elections, and with the absence of any significant indications that a negotiated settlement between the two countries is imminent, after more than 6 months of American bombing.
While the US military continues to provide Trump with options to launch potential strikes against remaining Iranian targets, some officials are still wondering - privately - whether the White House has a strategy that integrates these plans within a framework that can actually end the war. This is something that only the president has the authority to do.
For months, Trump and his advisors discussed options that might constitute a “decisive” end to the war - at least from a media and marketing perspective - because they were aware of the extent of American popular dissatisfaction with this conflict.
Although some figures in the US administration described the war as having actually been decided in favor of the United States, Trump was more cautious in his recent statements. He avoided declaring victory and merely said that there were tasks that had not yet been completed for the United States in that country.
Behind the scenes, Trump also expressed skepticism about the opinions of some allies outside the administration who urged him to be satisfied with withdrawing American forces into the country and move forward. Trump believes that such a step would look like a defeat.
Over the past few weeks, White House advisers have been holding meetings to discuss various options for dealing with Iran. While Trump has publicly announced that he will not take new measures before the midterm elections, several advisers have said privately that they do not know whether this statement is final or if it may change before Election Day.
One source told CNN that Trump ordered the military to prepare additional plans for strikes against Iranian targets - including "a lot of energy infrastructure" - with the possibility of using a MOAB bomb. The same source noted that the wording used stipulated that this attack would take place "before the US withdrawal from the Central Command area of responsibility," suggesting that the administration might launch additional strikes, try to declare victory, and then quickly withdraw its forces.
A second source also told CNN that military plans to strike Iranian nuclear facilities - including the Ax Mountain site - also explicitly call for the use of a MOAB bomb, and Trump has repeatedly threatened in recent months to strike the Ax Mountain site - where the United States and Israel believe Tehran stores components of its nuclear program - even after suspending comprehensive combat operations earlier this year, as Trump continues to stress that his goal is to ensure that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon.
Another US official noted that when developing military plans, the military prepares a menu of options for decision makers that range from low to high levels of intensity. The official added that more fortified targets - including those located deep underground - require larger bombs, and the MOAB bomb is the largest of its kind.
However, there are questions about the effectiveness of the MOAB bomb as a munition used against Iranian nuclear facilities and other sites located deep underground. Although this GPS-guided bomb is capable of destroying an area equivalent to nine city blocks, it likely lacks the ability to penetrate deep enough below the surface to destroy suspected nuclear facilities at the Ax Mountain site, which is believed to be fortified by layers of granite rock, or other remaining Iranian nuclear sites, according to informed sources.
A third source familiar with Iran-related military planning discussions told CNN: “The MOAB is a massive weapon that falls under the category of ‘information operations’ (for psychological and information influence), and is excellent for clearing large areas but is not suitable for much else.” He added, “It is certainly not designed to be a deep-penetration warhead.”
The sources indicated that if used, the bomb will have devastating effects in the targeting area, but its effect will likely be limited to the superficial level. The bomb's massive explosion range will undoubtedly raise concerns about the potential for civilian casualties, especially if it is used to target Iranian infrastructure facilities located near populated areas or in close proximity to non-military sites.
However, Trump may choose to use the MOAB as a psychological weapon at a time when the Iranian regime appears to be holding its ground and unwilling to yield to its diplomatic demands. Although US officials warn that its use likely will not force Iran to surrender or achieve a strategic military victory, it may provide Trump with an additional option - without the need to resume full-scale combat operations - to change the status quo of the conflict.
