Trump rules out using a nuclear bomb on Iran: Why that matters

What happened: Trump told Newsmax he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran and said the GBU-43/B MOAB, which CNN reported his administration may use, "is not nuclear." He declined to say whether he had authorised its use. Key numbers: MOAB carries about 8,500kg of high explosives, weighs 9,800kg and is just over nine metres long. Why it matters: The comments were his first explicit ruling out of nuclear use and appeared to confirm speculation that another phase of the war is imminent, likely after the midterms. He said the war would end "very soon" and oil prices would then drop. Coverage: 3 outlets in 24h

Trump told Newsmax he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran and said the GBU-43/B MOAB, which CNN reported his administration may use, "is not nuclear." He declined to say whether he had authorised its use.

The comments were his first explicit ruling out of nuclear use and appeared to confirm speculation that another phase of the war is imminent, likely after the midterms. He said the war would end "very soon" and oil prices would then drop.