Reports of US plans to use the 'Mother of All Bombs' against Iran and Israeli security meetings

⏱️ Timeline

1. 15 Oct 2026, 07:44 Reports carried by Tawasul News Network, citing FXStreet, said the United States was preparing to use the 'Mother of All Bombs' against Iran. Minutes later, US sources briefed on the matter told CNN that the US military had prepared new plans for strikes that could include the MOAB, known as the 'Mother of All Bombs', against energy infrastructure and Iranian nuclear facilities, if President Donald Trump orders a resumption of combat operations.
2. 15 Oct 2026, 08:43 US Central Command announced the destruction of a ship linked to Iran in the Gulf of Oman, and two container and cargo vessels sank near the Strait of Hormuz after being targeted by two projectiles. Separately, the European Union postponed a summit with Gulf states that had been scheduled.
3. 15 Oct 2026, 11:50 A CNN report said the military plans presented to Trump on striking Iran include the possible use of the MOAB, that the bomb weighs 9.8 tons, is satellite-guided and detonates in the air, but is not designed to penetrate deep fortifications, raising doubts about its ability to destroy Iran's fortified underground nuclear facilities; its use may aim at a show of force and psychological pressure.
4. 15 Oct 2026, 14:37 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security meeting on Thursday evening with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Mossad chief Roman Gofman, Shin Bet chief David Zini and Defense Minister Israel Katz to discuss Iranian threats and escalation scenarios, amid Israeli fears that Tehran is rebuilding its nuclear program, within scenarios including a surprise attack or attempts to disrupt the Israeli elections set for October 27.
5. 15 Oct 2026, 18:51 Netanyahu announced that Israel is building a huge border obstacle extending from the Yarmouk River to Eilat to bolster the security of the eastern border and prevent attempts to infiltrate Israeli territory, during a tour in the Jordan Valley accompanied by the defense minister and army commanders.
6. 15 Oct 2026, 20:31 Reports based on statements by US officials said the military plans include the use of the GBU-43/B bomb, with a focus on severely damaging the Fordow nuclear facility, IRGC infrastructure and leadership cadres, and that any US military decision may be confined to a limited timeframe of no more than a few days to avoid a protracted war.
7. 16 Oct 2026, 05:37 In his first comment, US President Donald Trump said he does not intend to use nuclear weapons against Iran, describing the MOAB as non-nuclear but very large.
8. 16 Oct 2026, 11:26 Israeli media reported an interceptor missile launched in northern Israel, while the Israeli army informed residents of towns in the Galilee of possible airstrikes on Lebanon in the coming hours, with explosions expected to be heard in the western Galilee and central Upper Galilee. This coincided with Israel raising its security alert level 11 days before the general elections set for October 27, for fear of escalation with Iran or Hezbollah, and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned of growing likelihood of escalation.
9. 16 Oct 2026, 19:37 The Israeli army announced it fired an interceptor missile at a suspicious aerial target spotted in its area of operations in southern Lebanon, without activating sirens.
10. 16 Oct 2026, 20:07 The Israeli army announced it fired two interceptor missiles at a target in southern Lebanon, explaining that the launch came as a result of a mistaken identification.
11. 16 Oct 2026, 22:55 Israel's Kan channel reported that Israeli military officials discussed the possibility of a direct confrontation with Iran, amid consultations between Israeli and US officials on regional developments, and that the US military had prepared new offensive plans that could include the use of the MOAB to target Iranian energy facilities and nuclear sites if Trump decides to resume military operations, while the White House and Pentagon declined to comment. The channel also reported intensive security talks between senior Israeli military commanders and their US counterparts, along with talks between high-level officials from both sides.

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