The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced preparations to unveil a new type of weapon, dubbed the "Father of All Bombs." The announcement came in response to US threats to use the most powerful conventional bomb in the American arsenal against Iran's nuclear facilities. This comes amid growing tensions between Tehran and Washington and the likelihood of renewed US strikes on Iranian territory. Maariv reports this. IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohabi told the Iranian news agency Young Journalists' Club: "We are in the preparatory stage for the presentation of the 'Father of All Bombs.' This will be something new for the enemy." However, he did not reveal the specific weapon in question, its power and combat capabilities, or when it would be unveiled to the public. This was reported by the Turkish news agency Anadolu. Iran's announcement followed US media reports that the Pentagon had prepared plans to use the GBU-43/B bomb, known as the "Mother of All Bombs," against targets in Iran. Weighing approximately 9.8 tons, it is considered one of the most powerful conventional weapons in the US arsenal.
This bomb was first used in April 2017, during Donald Trump's first term as president. The US military then used it against an ISIS tunnel system in Afghanistan. The munition is designed to create an extremely powerful shock wave over a large area, but it is not designed to penetrate deep underground, unlike specialized bombs designed to destroy fortified bunkers.
In an interview with Newsmax, Trump commented on the possibility of using these weapons and emphasized that they are not nuclear. The president ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran, but did not rule out the possibility of a conventional air strike. Simultaneously with the announcement of the new weapons, Mohabi stated that Iran's missile arsenal had increased by 50% since the end of the 12-day war with Israel in June 2025. He also claimed that the country had significantly improved missile performance, including range, destructive power, and target accuracy. However, the IRGC spokesman did not provide specific figures to verify the claims of arsenal expansion.
The statement came after the war that began in February of this year between the United States and Israel, on one side, and Iran, on the other. During the conflict, Tehran launched strikes against targets in Israel and American military bases in Arab countries.
Despite a memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran in June, talks between the two sides have collapsed over disagreements over freedom of navigation and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Against this backdrop, the announcement of new weapons marks yet another episode in the exchange of threats between Iran and the United States. However, Tehran has not yet provided technical specifications for the weapons or independent confirmation of the claimed increase in its missile arsenal. Power plants in Israel and six other countries in the region could be among the targets of potential Iranian strikes if fighting resumes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that it will strike American military bases in the Middle East if the United States continues to escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The threats followed Iran's reports of attacks on four oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and the sinking of three others by mines. Tehran warned that continued escalation could jeopardize American military facilities throughout the region.
The IRGC called the incident a serious signal to the United States. The IRGC's naval forces stated that they detected four tankers and attacked them while they were transferring oil.
According to the Iranian side, fires are still burning on the damaged vessels. Furthermore, three more ships struck mines west of the Strait of Hormuz overnight, after which they caught fire and lost their propulsion.
Saudi Arabia is expanding its ballistic missile production facility,
which could potentially hit targets
at significantly greater ranges and carry
more powerful warheads. These new weapons could allow Riyadh
to strike Iranian territory without
resorting to combat aircraft,
and also strengthen the kingdom's capabilities in confronting the
Tehran-backed Houthi rebels.
According to Reuters, American researchers have discovered signs of a
large-scale expansion of the al-Dawadami missile
complex after examining satellite images from
April 2025 to September 2026.
The facility is located approximately 200 kilometers west of
Riyadh and is believed to be involved
in the production of solid-fuel rocket motors.
Two new buildings have appeared on the complex's premises,
the purpose of which may indicate
preparations for the production of more powerful weapons.
Researchers estimate that one of the
structures is intended for the manufacture
of large rocket engines, while the other may be
used for storing fuel or finished components.
The size of the new production building attracted
particular attention. It is at least twice the size
of the existing structure, which presumably
houses the loading of solid fuel into rocket engine casings.
Satellite images also show
powerful protective walls surrounding the construction site.
Similar structures are
used at missile facilities to protect adjacent structures
from potential explosions. Experts
believe the expansion of infrastructure may
indicate Saudi Arabia's intention to develop
longer-range missiles. Such systems are capable
of carrying heavier warheads and hitting targets
previously beyond the capabilities of their existing arsenal.
One possible development area
is the production of missiles similar to the Chinese DF-21.
It is also believed that the
kingdom already has the capacity
to manufacture solid-fuel missiles based on the Chinese DF-15.
The Saudi missile program's ties
to Chinese technology have a long history.
As early as 1987, Riyadh secretly purchased
approximately 40 DF-3 ballistic missiles from
Beijing, and decades later,
it displayed some of these weapons at a military parade.
New production facilities could significantly
improve Saudi Arabia's military capabilities
in its standoff with Iran.
Tehran currently possesses missiles
and drones capable of attacking targets within the kingdom,
while Riyadh's ability to launch comparable retaliatory strikes
is limited. Longer-range
ballistic missiles would allow the Saudi military
to threaten Iran's strategic assets without
sending American F-15 fighters into Iranian air defense range.
This is especially important given
the ongoing threat of missile and drone attacks from Tehran.
An additional factor is the standoff
with the Houthis in Yemen, who are supported by Iran.
Expanding Saudi Arabia's missile production
could strengthen Saudi Arabia's ability to deter attacks
and reduce its dependence on
foreign arms suppliers.
The new systems will benefit from the use of solid propellants.
Unlike liquid-fueled missiles,
such weapons can be stored in a ready state for extended periods
and prepared for launch more quickly.
Moreover, the development of the Saudi missile program
could spark a new arms race in the Middle East.
Other regional states, including the UAE and
Turkey, are undertaking similar efforts to expand their offensive
and defensive capabilities.
Riyadh's enhanced missile capabilities could
also complicate negotiations with the United States on
civilian nuclear cooperation.
Concerns about the potential proliferation of nuclear technology
already exist in the U.S. Congress,
although Saudi Arabia denies any intention of developing
nuclear weapons. According to satellite data,
construction work at al-Dawadami began in the
spring of 2025. By December of that year,
deep technological shafts were already visible inside
one of the structures,
and images from September 2026 showed protective walls and a partially
unfinished roof. Researchers believe that,
after construction is completed and the necessary
equipment is installed,
the facility could begin production by the end of 2026. However,
the exact specifications of the future missiles
and the timeframe for their deployment remain
an unknown.
