he US military has developed strike plans that could include using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, also known as the "mother of all bombs," against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites if President Donald Trump orders renewed combat operations, CNN reported on Thursday (October 15) citing US officials familiar with the matter.

The potential deployment of the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal would mark a significant escalation in the conflict, although officials familiar with military planning discussions told CNN questions remain over its effectiveness in achieving Washington's strategic objectives.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

IN AIR OVER EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (ARCHIVE - 2003) (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HANDOUT - Access all) (MUTE)

1. GBU-43/B MASSIVE ORDNANCE AIR BLAST BOMB BEING DROPPED FROM AIRCRAFT DURING TEST DROP

2. GBU-43/B MASSIVE ORDNANCE AIR BLAST BOMB LAUNCHING INTO AIR AND DETACHING FROM PARACHUTE

3. GBU-43/B MASSIVE ORDNANCE AIR BLAST BOMB FALLING TOWARDS EARTH

4. GBU-43/B MASSIVE ORDNANCE AIR BLAST BOMB LANDING AND EXPLODING

UNKNOWN LOCATION (ARCHIVE - MARCH 11, 2003) (DVIDS - Access all) (MUTE)

5. STILL PHOTOGRAPH OF PROTOTYPE OF GBU-43/B MASSIVE ORDNANCE AIR BLAST BOMB MOMENTS BEFORE IMPACT DURING TEST DROP

GIVEN AS NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN (ARCHIVE - APRIL 13, 2017) (DVIDS - Access all) (MUTE)

6. MONOCHROME FOOTAGE SAID TO SHOW GBU-43/B MASSIVE ORDNANCE AIR BLAST BOMB FALLING ON ISIS-K CAVE AND TUNNEL SYSTEMS IN ACHIN DISTRICT