'Bombs Can't Force Surrender': Pezeshkian Urges Unity Amid US Strike Threats
President Pezeshkian urges national unity as reports emerge of US military planning strikes on Iran's nuclear sites using the MOAB bomb.
In a powerful appeal to his citizens, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for absolute national unity, asserting that external military force cannot break the will of a society. This call for cohesion comes at a critical juncture as reports surface that the United States military is weighing aggressive new strike options targeting Iran's energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities.
A Call for Internal Strength
Speaking on the necessity of standing together, President Pezeshkian warned that internal fractures are the greatest risk to the nation. According to the IRNA news agency, the President emphasized that while bombs and missiles are incapable of forcing a society to surrender, internal division would play directly into the hands of the enemy.
The Iranian leader urged the population to strengthen their national cohesion, arguing that a united front is the only way to effectively confront the mounting challenges facing the country.
The 'Mother of All Bombs' on the Table
The urgency of Pezeshkian's speech follows reports from CNN, citing US officials, that the American military has developed additional strike options. Most notably, discussions have included the potential deployment of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), famously known as the "mother of all bombs."
The MOAB is the largest non-nuclear weapon in the US arsenal, weighing approximately 21,600 pounds. The reported plans involve potential targets such as:
- Iranian energy infrastructure.
- Nuclear facilities.
- The suspected nuclear site located at Pickaxe Mountain.
Strategic Doubts Over the MOAB
Despite the sheer power of the MOAB, some US military planning sources have questioned its actual effectiveness against Iran's most secure sites. Because the facilities at Pickaxe Mountain are believed to be protected by thick layers of granite, experts suggest the MOAB may not be the right tool for the job.
"The MOAB is a massive information operation-type weapon that is great for huge area clearance but not much else," stated one source familiar with the planning, noting that the bomb is not designed as a deep-penetration warhead.
The Political Backdrop
These military considerations align with US President Donald Trump's long-standing objective to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. However, the Trump administration is navigating a complex political landscape with the November midterm elections approaching.
While there is pressure to end the conflict, there is currently no clear path toward a negotiated settlement. Reports indicate that US officials are already preparing for potential Iranian retaliation should Trump authorize new strikes. Meanwhile, administration advisers are reportedly seeking military options that could secure a "symbolic victory," allowing the US to withdraw from the conflict without deploying ground troops, a move President Trump has expressed reluctance toward.