US and Israel Plan Possible New Iran Strikes; Tehran Issues Warning

Tensions in the Middle East are rising again, with the United States and Israel reportedly preparing for possible new military strikes against Iran. According to The New York Times, the proposed operation could be short but intense, targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone stockpiles.

However, US President Donald Trump has not given final approval for a new attack. He has said the US will not resume strikes before the November 3 midterm elections.

What Are the US and Israel Planning?

According to reports, the US and Israeli militaries have increased their exercises, including flights over Iraq to practise possible strike missions. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss military options.

Some US officials believe fresh strikes could put further pressure on Iran’s economy and push Tehran towards diplomatic concessions. But the timing and final decision remain uncertain.

The White House has declined to comment on specific military plans, saying Trump wants to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and is keeping his options open.

Iran Threatens to Unveil ‘Father of All Bombs’

Iran has warned that any new attack will trigger a strong response. Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said the US has the “Mother of All Bombs” and claimed Iran would show its enemy the “Father of All Bombs”.

He did not explain what the weapon is, how powerful it might be, or when it would be unveiled. So far, there is no publicly verified information about its capabilities.

Mohebbi also claimed that Iran’s missile stockpile had grown by 50% following the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025. He said the country had improved its missiles’ range, accuracy and destructive power. These claims have not been independently verified.

What Is America’s ‘Mother of All Bombs’?

The US GBU-43/B, commonly called the “Mother of All Bombs” or MOAB, is a conventional, non-nuclear weapon weighing around 9,800 kilograms.

Reports say Trump has considered its possible use against Iran’s deeply buried Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility. However, weapons experts have questioned whether the bomb could destroy facilities protected deep underground by hard rock.

Why Is the US Building Up Its Military Presence?
The US is preparing to deploy additional military resources to the Middle East, including aircraft carriers, fighter jets and thousands of personnel. Reports suggest the full deployment could be in place by early November.

Washington appears to be using military pressure alongside diplomacy to push Iran towards concessions on its nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments.

Iran has warned that another conflict could spread beyond military targets and shipping lanes. Iranian officials have also threatened potential attacks on energy infrastructure, data centres and undersea internet cables in the region.

For now, another round of strikes remains a possibility, not a confirmed decision. But the military preparations and threats from both sides have increased fears that the conflict could escalate further.