Business & Finance
Trump says he won't use nuclear weapons against Iran
In a Newsmax interview, Trump said the MOAB is not nuclear, declined to say whether he authorized its use, and suggested renewed strikes are likely.
The short version
- Trump told Newsmax he does not plan to use nuclear weapons against Iran.[Al Jazeera]
- He described the MOAB as an extremely large bomb that is not nuclear, and declined to say whether he authorized its use in Iran.[CNBC · Al Jazeera]
- He suggested renewed attacks are likely, possibly after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, and said he does not see putting troops on the ground.[CNBC · Al Jazeera]
- Analysts doubt the MOAB would be effective against deeply buried Iranian nuclear installations, and Trump had not previously ruled out nuclear weapons.[Al Jazeera]
Key facts
- Trump told Newsmax in an interview that he does not intend to use nuclear weapons against Iran.[CNBC · Al Jazeera]
- Trump said the MOAB is not nuclear and described it as an extremely large bomb.[CNBC · Al Jazeera]
- The MOAB carries about 8,500 kg of high explosives and weighs about 9,800 kg.[Al Jazeera]
- Trump said he would not put US troops on the ground in Iran.[CNBC · Al Jazeera]
- Trump suggested renewed attacks on Iran are likely in the near future, possibly after the November 3 midterm elections.[Al Jazeera]
- Before this interview, Trump had not explicitly ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unclear whether Trump authorized use of the MOAB in Iran, as he declined to say and did not confirm or deny reports it was under consideration.[CNBC · Al Jazeera]
- Analysts doubt the MOAB would be effective against deeply buried Iranian nuclear installations, and note terrain challenges for large cargo aircraft.[Al Jazeera]
- The timing of any renewed strikes is suggested by Trump's remarks but has not been confirmed.[Al Jazeera]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.