Some military planners describe the options as a "fireworks show" designed for psychological impact rather than deep penetration, as the MOAB is an air-blast weapon that flattens nine city blocks on the surface but may fail to crack facilities buried under granite. This strategy would potentially serve as an off-ramp, allowing the administration to declare victory and begin a US retrograde withdrawal of forces. These preparations come as attacks on oil tankers escalate in the Strait of Hormuz and senior Iranian officials express certainty that a US attack is imminent.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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US Military Drafts First MOAB Strike Plans for Iranian Energy Hubs
War6 days ago
A 21,600-pound ordnance known as the GBU-43/B is being considered for operations against the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear complex and fuel facilities, based on leaks from Pentagon officials. The US military developed these strike packages, which explicitly include the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, to hit a large amount of energy infrastructure and nuclear sites. Multiple US officials told CNN that President Trump ordered the plans for renewed combat operations, which could occur either before or after the upcoming midterm elections, though no final decision to launch the strikes has been reported.
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