'Mother of all bombs': US potential Iran strike plans include largest non-nuclear weapon - report

According to CNN, multiple US officials said that the plans called for the MOAB to be used against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, including Pickaxe Mountain. US President Donald Trump is facing pressure to end the unpopular war President Donald Trump previously ruled out attacking Iran before the US midterm elections on Nov 3.

(EPA Images pic)WASHINGTON: The US military has developed strike plans that could include using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, also known as the "mother of all bombs", against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if president Donald Trump orders renewed combat operations, CNN reported on Thursday citing US officials familiar with the matter.The potential deployment of the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal would mark a significant escalation in the conflict, although officials familiar with military planning discussions told CNN questions remain over its effectiveness in achieving Washington's strategic objectives.Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The US military is considering deploying the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb against Iranian sites if operations resume. CNN reports this could escalate the conflict significantly.

The US military has developed strike plans that could include using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, also known as the "mother of all bombs", against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if President Donald Trump orders renewed combat operations, CNN reported on Thursday citing US officials familiar with the matter. The potential deployment of the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal would mark a significant escalation in the conflict, although officials familiar with military planning discussions told CNN that questions remain over its effectiveness in achieving Washington's strategic objectives. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Two ships sink near Hormuz after being hit by projectiles amid surge in attacks A ​container ship and a dry bulk carrier have both sunk near the Strait of Hormuz in the past ‌24 hours after being hit by projectiles in separate incidents, maritime officials said on Wednesday. Attacks around the waterway have surged over the past 10 days, with Iran saying it is stepping up strikes in response to the US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions introduced last month. The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride, ​a small container vessel with a capacity of 2,824 20-foot equivalent units (TEU), sank while sailing through the strait, according to ​maritime security sources.

"GFS PRIDE sustained damage and a fire on board, and has since sunk. All ⁠21 crew members were safely evacuated. No injuries have been reported," the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said in a ​statement on Wednesday, adding that the vessel had been sailing through the strait on Tuesday.

In a separate incident, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged ​Cape Dao sank close to the strait, weeks after being struck by a projectile on September 23, data from UN shipping agency the International Maritime Organisation showed on Wednesday. One crew member was killed, and the rest of the crew evacuated straight after the strike, maritime sources said. Its UAE-based manager, Peonies Shipmanagement ​FZE, could not be immediately reached for comment.