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- Trump rules out nuclear weapons use against Iran.
- Confirms 'Mother of All Bombs' is conventional, not nuclear.
- US military plans potential MOAB strikes on Iranian sites.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran, saying the US does not need them. His statement comes amid reports that the US military has reportedly prepared plans for possible strikes on Iran that could involve the use of the “Mother of All Bombs”. If approved, such an operation could mark a major escalation in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
Trump On MOAB
During an interview with Newsmax, Trump was asked about reports that his administration was considering using the bomb against Iran possibly after the US midterm elections. However, instead of providing clarification on the matter, Trump stressed that the weapon was not nuclear. He described it as a very large conventional bomb, saying, “The mother of all bombs is not nuclear…This is just an extremely large bomb.”
He repeated that the weapon was not nuclear, adding, “The mother of all bombs is one big bomb, but it's not nuclear.” Trump also ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran, saying the US did not need them. ‘“No, I wouldn't use nuclear. We don't have to,” Trump said
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Trump on Iran: I wouldn't use nuclear on Iran. We don't have to. Mother of All Bombs is not a nuclear bomb. https://t.co/5jIKDveXSN
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 16, 2026
US Military Prepares Possible Strike Plans
The development comes after CNN, citing US officials, reported that the US military has developed plans that could include using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, also known as the MOAB or “mother of all bombs”. The plans reportedly include possible attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites. It also stated that the strikes could take place before or after the US midterm elections if Trump orders resumption of military operation.
Earlier, in a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the US “will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd”. This has raised hopes for a possible end to the conflict, as Trump has also expressed confidence that the war could end in the days before or after the midterm elections.
What Is MOAB?
The Mother of All Bombs (MOAB) is the largest non-nuclear air-dropped bomb in the US military arsenal. It weighs around 21,600 pounds (nearly 10 tons). The bomb is GPS-guided and designed to create a massive blast wave. It is considered effective against large surface areas, caves, tunnels, and enemy fortifications. The bomb was used in combat for the first time on April 13, 2017, when the US military dropped it on an ISIS-K tunnel and cave complex in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar Province.
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