Trump Rules Out Nuclear Weapons Against Iran, Says the "Mother of All Bombs" Is Not Nuclear

US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Newsmax published on Thursday, October 15, 2026 (23 Mehr 1405), that he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran and does not need to. Al Jazeera wrote that it is the first time he has explicitly ruled out such an option. Trump also said the GBU-43/B bomb known as the "mother of all bombs" is not nuclear, and declined to say whether he has authorised its use. CNN had earlier reported that the US government is considering using the bomb.

He said the war would end "very soon" by force or diplomacy and that oil prices would then fall, and added that he does not see sending ground troops. Al Jazeera quotes analysts saying his remarks fit expectations of a new phase of the war after the US midterm elections on 3 November 2026 (12 Aban 1405); that is analysts' assessment, and no official decision has been announced. Brent traded near $106 a barrel on Friday, October 16.