US REPORTEDLY CONSIDERING USING MOTHER OF ALL BOMB AS PART OF NEW STRIKE PLANS AGAINST IRAN

What happened: The US is reportedly considering using the GBU-43-B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, as part of new strike plans in the war in Iran, per military sources cited by CNN. Key numbers: The MOAB is the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal and can destroy an area equal to nine city blocks. Why it matters: Using the MOAB for the first time in the war would be a notable escalation, though concerns exist that it lacks the penetration to destroy suspected nuclear facilities and that its blast radius raises civilian casualty risks. Coverage: 8 outlets in 24h

The US is reportedly considering using the GBU-43-B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, as part of new strike plans in the war in Iran, per military sources cited by CNN.

Using the MOAB for the first time in the war would be a notable escalation, though concerns exist that it lacks the penetration to destroy suspected nuclear facilities and that its blast radius raises civilian casualty risks.