World
U.S. weighs its largest conventional bomb for possible Iran strikes
Failed diplomacy is leaving shipping and energy security increasingly exposed
Failed diplomacy is leaving shipping and energy security increasingly exposed
A reported U.S. option to use the 21,600-pound against Iran shows how quickly failed diplomacy has narrowed the path to de-escalation. The conventional weapon creates a wide airburst and has not previously been used by the United States against Iran. The report relies on unnamed officials and does not mean President Trump has approved a strike. The Pentagon and are preparing options for possible major combat, but planning is not an order to attack.1
A meant to end the war collapsed, and strikes resumed around the , a vital route for oil and shipping. Iran has offered seven conditions for reopening it, while Qatar and Oman carry messages between the sides. Washington has rejected enough of Tehran’s demands to keep talks stuck. A U.S. strike disabled the after it allegedly breached the blockade, while tanker attacks and in Saudi Arabia widened the danger. Iran calls the latest U.S. response insufficient, leaving shipping, energy prices and regional security exposed, with no confirmed decision to use the bomb.2
Iran said Washington had accepted only some of its conditions and rejected the latest U.S. response as inadequate. The two sides remained divided over negotiations and unrestricted passage through the , while shipping and energy-security risks continued. No confirmed decision had been reported to use the GBU-43/B, leaving the weapon a reported option rather than an approved strike.
CNN, as reported by CNBC, said multiple U.S. officials familiar with the matter described the as a possible strike option. The conventional weapon, commonly called the , is designed for a and weighs 21,600 pounds. The report was based on anonymous sources, was not independently confirmed by all outlets, and did not establish that the president had approved its use against Iran.
Iran rejected negotiations conducted under continued U.S. military pressure as the conflict widened, with in Saudi Arabia and growing around the region.
Reports said senior U.S. officials discussed the war and directed to prepare for possible renewed . The preparations represented military planning and the development of presidential options, not an approved strike order. Regional attacks and the unresolved maritime blockade increased concern that the conflict could widen.
Saudi authorities said a missile strike on killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, including a U.S. citizen. Later reports gave differing , including 13 deaths.
U.S. Central Command said a fighter jet struck the stern of the M/V Ocean Molica, also known as the Arika Sun, after it left an Iranian port and ignored repeated warnings. The disabled the vessel's without injuring its crew. The incident followed other tanker attacks and heightened risks to maritime trade and energy security.
Iran presented seven conditions linked to reducing tensions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Qatari and Omani carried messages between the two sides as Washington and Tehran remained divided over the terms. The continued, but neither side had reached an agreement restoring .
The June memorandum failed to end the conflict after disputes over its provisions, and the United States and Iran resumed . Iran continued disrupting traffic through the , while the U.S. Navy renewed a of Iranian ports.
Washington and Tehran signed a June intended to end the war and open a diplomatic path. The agreement created a temporary opening for negotiations before the two sides returned to military confrontation. Later reporting described the as the diplomatic basis that subsequently broke down.