CNN Reports US Military Has Developed Iran Strike Plans That Could Use the MOAB, Before or After the Midterms; Qatar Emir Says War Is Imminent

CNN reported, citing multiple US officials familiar with the matter, that the US military has developed new strike plans that include potentially using the so-called “mother of all bombs” (the MOAB) against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear sites should Trump order combat resumed either before or after the midterm elections. One source said the strike would come “prior to US retrograde in CENTCOM AOR (area of responsibility)”, indicating the administration could strike, attempt to declare victory and quickly pull out. A second source said plans for striking nuclear sites including Pickaxe Mountain explicitly call for the MOAB. Trump told Newsmax “It’s not nuclear at all, this is just an extremely large bomb.” CNN also reported doubts over how effective the weapon would be. The planning claims are attributed to multiple US officials familiar with the matter.

Later reporting added context. CNN later reported that Trump had announced publicly he would not take new actions before the midterm elections, while several advisers privately did not know whether that was definitive, and that the US had moved all of its long-range bombers stationed in the United Kingdom back to American home bases earlier in the month. A Soufan Center IntelBrief reported that the Emir of Qatar told the Shura Council “War is imminent. We must be prepared for the worst possible scenarios,” a reported 23 attacks on ships transiting the Strait since the start of October, and crude oil regaining the $100 per barrel level for West Texas Intermediate and nearly $110 for Brent. An IRGC spokesperson promised “new targets that have not yet been attacked”. Continues the war that began with 2026-02-28–operation-epic-fury-us-military-strikes-iran; see also 2026-10-02–camp-david-national-security-meeting-iran-war-vance-chairs-third-carrier-group-due.