US Weighs Using ‘Mother of All Bombs’ in Possible Strikes on Iran, CNN Reports

The US military has prepared plans for possible strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites, which could include using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, also known as the “mother of all bombs”, CNN reported on Thursday, citing US officials familiar with the matter.

The bomb is the largest non-nuclear weapon in the US arsenal. Its possible use would mark a major escalation in the conflict. However, officials told CNN that questions remain about whether the weapon could help Washington achieve its strategic goals.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

Two Ships Sink Near Strait of Hormuz

Two ships have sunk near the Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours after being hit by projectiles in separate incidents, maritime officials said on Wednesday.

Attacks around the waterway have increased over the past 10 days. Iran says it is intensifying strikes in response to the US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions introduced last month.

The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride sank while travelling through the strait. The vessel had a capacity of 2,824 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority said the ship was damaged and caught fire before sinking. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

In a separate incident, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged vessel Cape Dao sank near the strait. The ship had been hit by a projectile on September 23, according to data from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Maritime sources said one crew member was killed in the attack, while the remaining crew members were evacuated immediately.

The GFS Pride and Cape Dao are the second and third vessels to have sunk since the US-Iran war began on February 28, according to an analysis of IMO casualty data.

Singapore’s maritime authority expressed concern over the continued attacks on commercial ships, describing them as unprovoked, unjustifiable and a breach of international law.

Maritime risk management company MARISKS said the latest incidents showed that commercial shipping remained under threat in the Strait of Hormuz. It added that container ships and bulk carriers were also facing serious damage, not just oil tankers.

Iran Tightens Its Grip on the Strait

The growing number of attacks has raised concerns about security in the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed before the war.

Iran has sought to increase its control over the strait since US and Israeli strikes on February 28, restricting ship movements to put pressure on Washington.

Two senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Tehran was increasingly using new tactics against ships passing through the waterway. They said Iran was seeking to keep oil prices high and influence the US midterm elections.

Both Iran and the United States have focused attacks on tankers, but cargo and container ships have also been attacked, disabled or sunk.

In March, the Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was hit by a projectile and later sank north of the Strait of Hormuz.

In April, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards attacked and seized the container ship MSC Francesca.