Trump Warns of Potential US Strikes Against Iranian Nuclear Facilities
US President Donald Trump stated that the US may launch new strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, including the fortified site known as the Magic Mountain, as the Pentagon weighs conventional options.
US President Donald Trump stated in an interview with Newsmax that the United States may launch additional strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, including the fortified site known as the "Magic Mountain". The statement comes amid reports that the Pentagon is considering using the powerful conventional weapon known as the Massive Ordnance Air Blast, or MOAB.
Speaking exclusively to the conservative network, Trump raised the possibility of further military action against Iran while predicting that the conflict would conclude soon, either through negotiations or other means. When asked about reports regarding the potential use of the MOAB, Trump emphasized that it is not a nuclear weapon, dismissing suggestions that it could be a tactical nuclear device.
CNN reported that the US military has developed contingency plans involving the potential use of the MOAB against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities if Trump orders a resumption of combat operations. CBS separately confirmed that the White House and the Pentagon have prepared plans incorporating the weapon. The White House stated that it does not comment on sensitive military plans and that Trump continues to keep all options open to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Weighing approximately 9,800 kilograms, the MOAB is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal. It was first used operationally in April 2017 against an ISIS tunnel system in Afghanistan. Unlike bunker-busting munitions designed to penetrate deeply buried targets, the MOAB is primarily intended to create a massive surface blast, and officials have expressed skepticism regarding its ability to destroy deeply buried Iranian nuclear installations.
Trump raised the prospect of targeting the "Magic Mountain", an Iranian nuclear site suspected of being buried deep beneath rock layers. According to the president, the US has already inflicted severe damage on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, though he asserted that withdrawing before ensuring Tehran cannot obtain nuclear weapons could necessitate future military action. Trump expressed confidence that the conflict would end swiftly, noting that Iran is engaged in negotiations with Washington.
Concurrently, the US military has deployed air defense systems around Mar-a-Lago, President Trump's estate in Palm Beach, Florida, as part of enhanced security measures. The North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, confirmed that the deployment was carried out at the request of the Secret Service amid an elevated threat environment.
