Trump Rules Out Nuclear Strike on Iran, But Considers 'Mother of All Bombs'

United States President Donald Trump has explicitly stated for the first time that he will not use a nuclear weapon against Iran. However, he has not denied reports from US media suggesting his administration is considering the deployment of the US’s most powerful non-nuclear munition, known as the “mother of all bombs” (MOAB).

In an interview with the right-wing news site Newsmax, published on Thursday, Trump indicated his intention not to use nuclear weapons. He clarified that the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, or MOAB, “is not nuclear.” “I wouldn’t use nuclear. We don’t have to. We’re the greatest nuclear power in the world,” Trump told Newsmax.

These comments represent Trump’s first definitive statement on the nuclear issue, following speculation about a potential atomic conflict amidst the ongoing US and Israel’s war on Iran. The remarks also seem to confirm expectations of another phase of the war, likely to occur after the US midterm elections on November 3.

What did Trump say?

Trump informed Newsmax that the US might conduct further strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, specifically mentioning Pickaxe Mountain, where Tehran is believed to house a nuclear facility deep beneath granite layers. He explicitly ruled out the use of a nuclear weapon or a tactical nuclear weapon. “I wouldn’t use nuclear. We don’t have to. We’re the greatest nuclear power in the world,” he stated.

He further clarified that the MOAB, which CNN reported the US government is contemplating using, “is not nuclear.” When asked if the MOAB was a “tactical nuclear” weapon, Trump reiterated, “Well, the mother of all bombs is not nuclear. It’s not nuclear at all. This is just an extremely large bomb.” Trump declined to confirm whether he had authorized its use in Iran.

Trump also suggested that renewed attacks are probable in the near future. He argued that the US cannot conclude the war at this moment because it must ensure Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon, stating his belief that “if they had it, they would use it, in my opinion, instantaneously.” Trump also reiterated that the war would conclude “very soon,” either through force or diplomacy, which he predicted would lead to a drop in oil prices.

When questioned about deploying “troops on the ground,” Trump responded, “No, I don’t see that, I don’t see it.” Earlier in the conflict, Trump had made remarks about sending troops, a move that analysts suggested would be perilous for US soldiers due to Iran’s mountainous terrain.

What is the ‘mother of all bombs’?

The MOAB is equipped with a substantial payload of approximately 8,500kg (18,000 pounds) of high explosives. It weighs 9,800kg (21,605 pounds) and measures just over nine metres (about 30 feet) in length. Due to its size, it cannot be carried by stealth bombers and must be deployed by larger Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

According to experts, it is designed to detonate a few metres above the ground, creating intense fireballs capable of destroying buildings and other hard-surface structures within a 1km radius. The US Air Force has stated that in tests, a mushroom cloud from its blast has been visible from as far as 32km (20 miles) away.

Elijah Magnier, a Brussels-based military and weapons analyst, noted, “Its large explosive charge can produce devastating blast effects against exposed personnel, equipment and vulnerable structures. Its purpose is to generate an exceptionally powerful blast across a surface area.” However, Magnier expressed doubt about the MOAB’s effectiveness against deeply buried nuclear installations in Iran, also noting potential access difficulties for large cargo aircraft in Iran’s terrain.

What has Trump previously said about nuclear weapons?

While Trump had never explicitly mentioned using a nuclear weapon, he had also never ruled it out. Speculation about Washington potentially using nuclear weapons was widespread in the early stages of the conflict, largely fueled by Trump’s numerous aggressive threats against Tehran.

For instance, in April, following Iran’s imposition of a blockade on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump posted on his Truth Social account, “…a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again” if Iran did not agree to a peace deal and reopen the strait. He also threatened to devastate Iran’s infrastructure, stating a bombing campaign would encompass “Power Plant Day and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one.” Experts widely interpreted these statements as threats of nuclear destruction, though they did not compel Iran to negotiate.

Although Trump largely softened his aggressive rhetoric in the subsequent weeks, he reiterated at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that he could “annihilate” Iran. He also informed the assembly that he believed a deal would emerge after the midterms.

What is a ‘tactical’ nuclear weapon?

“Tactical” nuclear weapons (TNW) are smaller nuclear munitions intended for battlefield use, in contrast to strategic nuclear munitions designed for mass destruction. While some perceive TNWs as having a less severe impact than atomic bombs, experts caution that their designation is misleading and they can still be devastating. Their explosive yield, ranging from 0.3 to 50 kilotons, can affect areas within a 500-600km radius. The US bomb dropped on Hiroshima had a 15-kiloton yield, which would be considered a TNW by today’s standards.

The US, North Korea, and Russia possess TNWs in their arsenals, though none have ever been used. TNWs are not subject to international treaties and are largely unregulated.

What might another US attack on Iran look like?

Given Trump’s refusal to rule out deploying the MOAB, analysts speculate that the US might initiate another, possibly final, intensive bombing campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and defense sites, particularly Pickaxe Mountain. The US could also maintain its naval blockade on Iranian ports while escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has pledged to retaliate against escalatory strikes by targeting oil and digital infrastructure in neighboring Gulf states. Senior defense officials have also warned that Iran would invade its neighbors if the US launched a ground operation, although Trump appears to have ruled this out. Earlier in the war, he hinted at the possibility of deploying ground forces to recover approximately 400kg of “yellowcake” – highly enriched uranium that Washington and Israel claim Tehran has concealed underground. Trump’s phone calls in March to Kurdish militia groups engaged in conflict with Iran had fueled speculation that Washington might coordinate with them for an invasion, though this did not materialize.