Washington: The US military has developed plans that include the possible use of its largest non nuclear bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, including the suspected underground facility at Pickaxe Mountain, CNN reported on Thursday, citing US officials familiar with the planning.

The GBU 43/B, known as the “mother of all bombs” or MOAB, could be used if President Donald Trump orders combat operations to resume.

Officials reportedly doubt it could destroy deeply buried facilities, questioning whether it would achieve Washington’s military objectives or shift the balance of the conflict. The bomb is designed to cause extensive damage across a wide surface area, rather than penetrate deep underground.

Some officials reportedly see its psychological impact as a possible factor.

A separate account said a strike could precede a US military withdrawal, potentially allowing the administration to declare victory and pull back its forces. That is a reported possibility, not a confirmed decision or stated US objective.

The plans could be activated before or after the US midterm elections. This comes after Trump said on 8 October that the US would not attack Iran before the 3 November elections. No order to use the bomb has been reported.