President Donald Trump has ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran and said he does not expect to deploy ground troops, even as reports emerge of potential U.S. strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites.
Trump Addresses Potential MOAB Strike on Iran
In an interview with Newsmax aired Thursday evening, Trump dismissed the need for nuclear weapons in the conflict, saying, “I wouldn’t use nuclear. We don’t have to. We’re the greatest nuclear power in the world.”
Asked about reports that Washington was considering deploying the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), commonly known as the “Mother of All Bombs,” Trump noted that the weapon is conventional rather than nuclear.
“It’s like a tiny nuclear bomb,” he said, describing its destructive power while noting that it is not a nuclear weapon. He did not directly confirm or deny whether the U.S. was considering using it against Iran.
When asked whether he would deploy U.S. troops on the ground in Iran, Trump responded, “No, I don’t see that, I don’t see it.”
The MOAB is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. arsenal. American forces used it in combat for the first time in 2017 against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants in Afghanistan, CNBC reported.
The White House did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment.
US Military Prepares Potential Iran Strike Plans
CNN reported Thursday that the U.S. military had developed plans for strikes targeting Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities. According to the report, such operations could launch if Trump orders military action to resume, either before or after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Trump said earlier this month that he would not resume military strikes before the midterm elections.
Strait of Hormuz Faces Rising Shipping Threats
Meanwhile, commercial shipping faces growing risks in the Strait of Hormuz following a series of attacks in the strategic waterway.
The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations said the threat remained “severe” after the Singapore-registered container ship GFS Pride was hit by an unidentified projectile, caught fire and sank. The agency said “deliberate hostile action” was highly likely and reported eight attacks in the strait since Oct. 11, raising concerns over the safety of a critical global energy shipping route.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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