According to a CNN report, the U.S. military has developed plans for potential strikes on Iran, including the use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb, known as the 'mother of all bombs.' This 21,600-pound weapon is designed to target surface areas extensively and has not been previously used against Iran.
The report comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East, particularly following incidents such as the sinking of a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthis.
President Donald Trump has stated he will not authorize military action before the midterm elections on November 3, yet the pressure on the White House is increasing due to rising energy prices affecting the American public.
Iran is reportedly bolstering defenses around its critical energy and nuclear sites, with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to push the U.S. to meet its demands, which include lifting sanctions and withdrawing military forces from the region.
This situation could have significant implications for energy markets and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East