Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has suggested the possibility of additional attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, including the potential use of the massive non-nuclear bomb known as the 'Mother of All Bombs' (MOAB).
In an exclusive interview on October 15 with the conservative media outlet Newsmax, Trump indicated that the war with Iran would soon come to an end, whether through negotiations or other means, hinting at further military action.
He specifically mentioned the possibility of attacking 'Pickaxe Mountain,' a key underground site related to Iran's nuclear program. Trump stated, "We are currently looking at Pickaxe Mountain," adding, "We will attack it and neutralize it quickly." However, he clarified that he is not considering the deployment of ground troops.
When asked about reports that the U.S. military is considering the use of MOAB, Trump avoided a direct answer but noted, "The 'Mother of All Bombs' is not a nuclear bomb; it is just a very large bomb." Newsmax commented that the use of the MOAB is one of the options being considered.
Earlier, CNN reported, citing multiple U.S. officials, that the military is preparing new operational plans targeting Iran's energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, which may include the use of MOAB. The MOAB weighs approximately 9.8 tons and is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. arsenal. It was first used in combat in 2017 during the Trump administration to target ISIS tunnel and cave facilities in Afghanistan.
However, CNN noted that the MOAB causes extensive damage on the surface, raising questions among U.S. officials about its effectiveness in destroying deeply buried nuclear facilities.
Additionally, Trump reiterated his belief that the war would end soon, stating, "The war will end in some way," and claimed that Iran is negotiating with the U.S. He also predicted that international oil prices would drop once the conflict concludes.
During the interview, Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating, "Zelensky is not a good person for us to deal with. He says he wants an agreement, but in reality, he does not. I don't like Zelensky much."
Relations between the two leaders have soured recently over Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil facilities and U.S. energy policies toward Russia. With midterm elections approaching and rising fuel prices posing a crisis for Trump, he announced a 'diesel deal' to lower U.S. fuel prices by supplying Russian diesel and urged Ukraine to halt attacks on energy facilities, calling for an 'energy truce.'
However, Zelensky has expressed feelings of betrayal over Trump's actions, further escalating tensions between the two leaders.
Trump criticized Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil facilities, arguing that they only serve to raise international oil prices. He stated, "If Zelensky attacks oil facilities again, all he is doing is raising international oil prices. I think that is shameful. There are plenty of other targets he could attack."
He also raised the need for elections in Ukraine, saying, "No one is telling me that the Ukrainian people are satisfied with missiles falling on their apartments. I think Ukraine needs to hold elections." Ukraine was scheduled to hold its presidential election in 2024, but the war with Russia has led to a state of emergency, postponing the election.
Trump addressed concerns about the depletion of U.S. military stockpiles, including Patriot missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles, attributing it to the Biden administration's extensive support for Ukraine and claiming that efforts are underway to replenish the stockpiles quickly.
Furthermore, Trump revealed that discussions are ongoing regarding nuclear arms reduction with China and Russia. He noted that while the U.S. currently holds the largest nuclear arsenal, China could rapidly catch up within the next five to six years. He suggested that China may be reluctant to engage in reduction talks due to its smaller nuclear stockpile compared to the U.S., but emphasized, "We are continuing the discussions."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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