Will Trump Use the ‘Mother of All Bombs’ on Iran?

Overview

The discussion examines reports that Donald Trump may use the “Mother of All Bombs” against Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain facility. Speakers emphasize that the weapon is a very large conventional bomb, not a nuclear weapon. They argue that even if few civilians live near the target, an attack on Iranian infrastructure would be seen by Tehran as a major escalation.

Possible Iranian Response

Professor Mohammad Marandi says Iran has warned that it would retaliate forcefully against American and Israeli interests, including economic assets and targets in the Gulf. He predicts that an expanded conflict could cause severe regional and global economic disruption.

Another speaker argues that Gulf states are vulnerable because they host US forces and have supported US operations.

Constraints on a Renewed US Campaign

The discussion highlights several potential constraints on a renewed US campaign: high fuel prices, shrinking energy reserves, inflation, borrowing costs, and reported damage to or reduced usability of US bases in the region.

Speakers say Iran’s missiles, drones, and fortified underground facilities would make it difficult to eliminate its military capacity through airstrikes alone. They also question whether further attacks would improve Trump’s political position, particularly ahead of elections.

Origins of the War and Presidential Authority

In the final segment, Scott Horton argues that the war began with an unrealistic expectation of quick regime change. He suggests Trump trusted Israeli assurances that Iran’s government would collapse, and that personal concerns about threats to Trump may also have shaped his decision.

Horton criticizes the concentration of war-making power in the US presidency, arguing that presidents have repeatedly launched military interventions without obtaining prior congressional authorization. He concludes that this conflicts with constitutional limits and with Trump’s political promise to avoid new wars.

Presenters and Contributors

Gerald Celente, Mohammad Marandi, Sina Toossi, and Scott Horton