Iran announces development of new 'Father of all bombs' weapon

Hossein Mohebi, a spokesman for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, announced on October 22, 2026, that Tehran is preparing to unveil a new weapon described as the 'Father of all bombs.' The official stated that this development is intended as a response to the enemy, characterizing it as the most powerful bomb in history without providing specific technical details or a release date.

This announcement follows comments made by United States President Donald Trump on Friday, October 16, 2026, where he suggested the potential use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, known as the 'Mother of all bombs,' against Iranian nuclear facilities. The GBU-43/B is a 9,800-kilogram conventional, non-nuclear weapon currently held in the U.S. arsenal.

The development serves as an escalation in rhetoric between the two nations, occurring amid ongoing tensions regarding Iran's nuclear program. While the Iranian military claims the new weapon presents a significant advancement, the international community currently has no verification of the device's existence or capabilities.