Trump Weighs 'Mother of All Bombs' for Iran but Rules Out Nuclear Weapons and Ground Troops

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump says the United States may need to strike one of Iran's most heavily protected sites, but insists he will not use nuclear weapons or send American ground troops.

Pickaxe Mountain in the Crosshairs

Trump said the U.S. may need to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, Reuters reported on October 16. "We'll knock it out fast," Trump said. He again said he was not considering using U.S. ground troops in Iran.

The 'Mother of All Bombs'

CNN reported on October 15 that the U.S. is considering using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, known as the "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB), against Iran, according to sources. CNN also reported that Trump has ordered the military to develop more strike packages against Iranian targets that include "a lot of energy infrastructure."

"I Wouldn't Use Nuclear"

In an interview with Newsmax broadcast Thursday evening, Trump ruled out nuclear weapons. "I wouldn't use nuclear," he said, adding that the U.S. "doesn't have to," CNBC reported. Asked about putting troops on the ground, Trump said: "No, I don't see that, I don't see it."

War Will End "Very Soon"

Speaking to reporters in Kalispell, Montana, after a rally ahead of the midterm elections, Trump said the Iran war will end "very soon," CNN reported.

Strait of Hormuz Tensions

Tensions remain high at sea. Fox's LiveNOW reported that two vessels were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the world's oil supply.

Sources: Reuters, CNN, CNBC, Newsmax, LiveNOW from FOX, October 15-16, 2026.