"Mother of All Bombs" on the table - Alarm at Mar-a-Lago with Avenger missiles
The US President is weighing a prospective new military strike against Iran, leaving open even the possibility of deploying the most powerful US conventional bomb, known as the "Mother of All Bombs." Meanwhile, air defense systems were deployed near his private Florida residence, without a specific threat being cited. US President Donald Trump stated in an interview with network Newsmax that the United States may execute a new military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, including the fortified installation known as "Pickaxe Mountain." His statements arrive amid reports that the Pentagon is examining the use of the most powerful conventional bomb in the American arsenal, the so-called "Mother of All Bombs" (MOAB). In an exclusive interview with the conservative television network, Trump discussed the prospect of a new military operation against Iran, estimating however that the war could conclude soon, either through negotiations or other means, shaping US military option planning.
Trump: The "Mother of All Bombs" is not a nuclear weapon
Asked regarding reports that he is considering the use of MOAB, potentially following the November 3 midterm elections, the US President clarified that it does not constitute a nuclear weapon. "The Mother of All Bombs is not a nuclear weapon," Trump stated characteristically. When the journalist asked him whether it constitutes a tactical nuclear weapon, the US President categorically rejected the possibility. "No, it is not nuclear at all. It is simply an extraordinarily large bomb. It is like a small nuclear bomb, a massive bomb, but it is not nuclear," he noted. However, Trump did not clarify whether he has already approved the deployment of this specific weapon, nor did he specify potential targets of a prospective operation. According to a CNN report, the American military has drafted plans incorporating the potential use of the MOAB bomb against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, should Trump decide to resume military operations. Correspondingly, CBS reported that the White House and the Pentagon have prepared separate plans providing for the deployment of this specific weapon. The White House told CBS that it does not comment on sensitive military plans, emphasizing that Trump continues to keep all options open to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, directly impacting Iran nuclear site targeting.
MOAB: The most powerful conventional bomb in the American arsenal
The MOAB weighs approximately 9,800 kilograms and represents the largest non-nuclear bomb possessed by the US armed forces. It was deployed operationally for the first time in April 2017, during Trump's first presidential term, against an ISIS tunnel network in Afghanistan. In contrast to specialized bunker busters, which are designed to strike targets deep beneath the earth's surface, the MOAB is intended primarily to generate a massive surface blast. As CNN points out, US officials have expressed doubts as to whether this specific bomb could destroy Iranian nuclear facilities deeply buried underground, altering bunker buster weapon effectiveness.
Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility targeted
Trump referred specifically to the prospect of a strike against the "Pickaxe Mountain" facility, an Iranian nuclear infrastructure suspected of being buried under multiple rock layers. "Now we are looking at Pickaxe Mountain. We may need to go there. We will take that risk and destroy it quickly," stated the US President. When asked if such an operation could involve deploying US ground forces, he answered in the negative. According to Trump, the United States has already inflicted severe damage on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. However, he argued that a withdrawal without definitively eliminating Tehran's capability to acquire nuclear weapons could necessitate new military intervention in the future. The US President appeared confident that the war will conclude very soon, noting that Iran is engaged in negotiations with Washington. Indeed, he claimed that senior officials of the Iranian regime have requested a pause in military operations by the US and Israel. "They asked us to stop, and we are doing so because we are negotiating with them," he concluded, defining Iran US nuclear negotiations.
Air defense protection reinforced at Mar-a-Lago
At the same time, the US armed forces have deployed air defense systems across the wider area of Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump's private residence in Palm Beach, Florida, as part of reinforcing security measures around the US President. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command confirmed that system deployment was executed following a Secret Service request. However, competent authorities did not specify whether the decision connects to a specific threat, impacting presidential protection protocols.
According to a report by the Palm Beach Daily News newspaper, two Avenger-type air defense systems were positioned on a floating platform in the Lake Worth lagoon, adjacent to the US President's residence. A newspaper photographer spotted the systems as early as October 23, prior to Trump's arrival in the area. Concurrently, additional systems were deployed at the local airport, near the location where the presidential aircraft parks during the US President's visits, driving Florida air defense deployments.
Avenger systems and their capabilities
Avenger systems constitute mobile short-range air defense units of the US Army. They are built on Humvee military vehicles, featuring a rotating turret and Stinger missile launchers. According to information published by the newspaper, these specific systems are designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), helicopters, cruise missiles, and fixed-wing aircraft. Their deployment adds an extra layer of protection to the already reinforced security apparatus of the US President's private residence. The Secret Service told the newspaper that it operates in an elevated threat environment and continuously adjusts its security measures, technologies, and operational methods to protect individuals under its charge. For its part, the US Army declined to provide further details regarding operational methods, citing national security reasons. It was also not disclosed for how long they will remain deployed in the area, reshaping short-range air defense.
Over 60 flight restriction zone violations
Reinforcing security measures takes place during a period in which repeated violations of restricted airspace around Palm Beach have been recorded. According to network WPTV, since January 2025, fighter jets have intercepted more than 60 aircraft that violated flight restrictions in the area. On October 24, an F-16 fighter jet scrambled to intercept a civilian aircraft entering the prohibited zone. Following communication between the pilot and competent authorities, the aircraft departed the area according to relevant instructions, with the incident concluding without damage, emphasizing airspace security enforcement.
Plan for permanent flight restrictions over Trump residence
Concurrently, a proposal to make flight restrictions over Trump's residence permanent is being advanced. According to the Palm Beach Daily News, existing restrictions remain in effect even when the US President is not present at the residence. The Secret Service justified the need to maintain them by citing prospective threats against Trump, his family, and his property assets. The relevant proposal has yet to receive final approval. It is worth noting that, according to published reports, no official confirmation exists linking the deployment of air defense systems at Mar-a-Lago to Iran. Consequently, the precise operational reason for their deployment remains classified, leaving presidential security airspace policy under review.
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