Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on 21 October 2026 that it is preparing to unveil a new weapon identified as the "father of all bombs." Revolutionary Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebi delivered the announcement through the Young Journalists Club news agency. The organization provided no additional technical specifications or details regarding the intended deployment of the device. This public declaration marks the official confirmation of the weapon's development by the military branch. Officials have not stated when the formal unveiling ceremony will occur. The announcement, which took place on 21 October 2026, serves as the primary public acknowledgment of the project. Hossein Mohebi utilized the Young Journalists Club news agency to disseminate the information to the public. As of now, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has not released images, weight classifications, or delivery system requirements for the ordnance.
Military Capabilities and Expansion
Hossein Mohebi stated that Iran has expanded its missile stockpile while concurrently improving the accuracy, range, and destructive power of these armaments. This assessment of Iranian military inventories follows the announcement regarding the development of the "father of all bombs." The Revolutionary Guards spokesman provided these details through the Young Journalists Club, though he offered no specific metrics regarding the current size or capabilities of the expanded missile arsenal. According to the claims made by Hossein Mohebi, the focus on missile development involves enhancing the precision of existing systems. He further asserted that the destructive power of the current stockpile has been increased as part of the broader military strategy. These improvements to range and accuracy are intended to bolster the existing capabilities of the missile program managed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Military planners frequently reference the United States GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb when discussing heavy conventional explosives. This munition, often referred to as the "mother of all bombs," saw its first combat deployment in Afghanistan during April 2017. The weapon is designed for use against hardened targets and subterranean bunker complexes, utilizing a large-yield conventional blast to neutralize defensive positions. The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb remains a significant reference point in international military discourse due to its size and explosive capacity. Its deployment in April 2017 in Afghanistan marked the first time the United States military utilized such a device in an active combat environment.
Donald Trump previously suggested the potential use of the GBU-43/B bomb against Iranian nuclear facilities. This suggestion surfaced during public discourse regarding the security of international nuclear infrastructure. No official statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or the office of the President has confirmed whether the GBU-43/B remains a primary consideration for tactical planning involving these specific facilities. Anadolu Agency reported that the development of indigenous heavy munitions remains a stated priority for domestic defense programs. The claim regarding the potential use of the GBU-43/B against Iranian nuclear facilities by Donald Trump remains a notable part of the discussion surrounding heavy ordnance. While the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continues to emphasize the development of domestic alternatives, the mention of the GBU-43/B by Donald Trump notes the ongoing focus on large-scale conventional weaponry in the context of regional security. Anadolu Agency continues to monitor the progress of these domestic defense programs as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps works toward the eventual unveiling of its new weapon.
