White House prepares plans to use weapon dubbed
Plans for possible Iran strike
A Pentagon official said the Department of War prepares for varied operational scenarios and carries out direction from the president and secretary-level officials. The official added that the aim is to ensure mission success in any operational environment.
Trump’s remarks last week
Last week, Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the midterm elections. He also spoke of “productive conversations” with Iran, without giving details. CNN first reported Thursday on the plans involving the bomb, also known as the MOAB.
A weapon used in Afghanistan
The MOAB is also called the “mother of all bombs.” It was used in 2017 against an Islamic State cave complex in Afghanistan, establishing a precedent for its use under Trump. The bomb weighs more than 30,000 pounds and costs $170,000 per unit, according to CBS News. It is the largest non-nuclear weapon in the U.S. arsenal.
Key points
- Plans outline possible MOAB strikes on Iranian military sites if Trump gives the order.
- Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the midterm elections.
- The MOAB was used against an Islamic State cave complex in Afghanistan in 2017.
- The weapon weighs more than 30,000 pounds and costs $170,000 per unit.