BIGGEST NON - NUCLEAR BOMB IN IRAN PLANS ; TRUMP RULES OUT NUKES

What happened: Trump said he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran and has no plans for ground troops, after U.S. officials told CNN the Pentagon drew up strike options including the GBU-43/B MOAB on Iranian energy and nuclear sites. Key numbers: MOAB is 21,700 pounds, GPS-guided, yield about 11 tons of TNT, used once Why it matters: Officials told CNN they doubt the MOAB could reach a site like Pickaxe Mountain and described its main value as psychological. Iran said bombs would not force surrender and that the Strait of Hormuz stays closed to shipping until its rights are respected.

Trump ruling out nukes while Iran plans biggest non-nuclear bomb signals escalating geopolitical tension.

Trump ruling out nukes while Iran plans biggest non-nuclear bomb signals escalating geopolitical tension. — impact context not separately stored; see What changed.