According to CNN on Thursday, the U.S. military has devised a new round of strikes against Iran, which may include the use of one of the most powerful non-nuclear bombs in its arsenal, while Tehran vows to continue fighting for its demands.

CNN Quoting several U.S. officials familiar with the situation, these strike plans involve the possible use of GBU-43 /B giant airburst bombs (Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb), a weapon nicknamed "the mother of all bombs." CNBC has not been able to independently verify this report and has sought comment from the U.S. Department of Defense on the matter.

This airburst weapon, weighing 21,600 pounds, is designed to affect large areas of surface targets. The United States has not previously used it in strikes against targets within Iran. It was employed in Afghanistan during the administration of Trump in 2017.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated last week that he would not order the resumption of military strikes before the midterms on November 3rd.

However, tensions in the Middle East remain high following the sinking of a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, as well as a series of deadly attacks launched by Houthi militants allied with Iran against Saudi Arabia.

As the American public increasingly feels the impact of soaring energy prices and broader cost pressures, the White House is under growing pressure to demonstrate progress on its Middle East objectives before the mid-term elections.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Tehran is strengthening defenses around its sensitive energy and nuclear facilities in preparation for potential renewed attacks.

On Wednesday evening, in a televised speech, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Kalibaf stated that Iran must continue to combine military and defensive capabilities, negotiations, as well as regional strategic leverage, to force the United States to accept its demands. Iranian official media reported that Tehran's previous demands included Washington's lifting of the naval blockade and sanctions, as well as the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from the region.

Karibov said that Tehran's goal is not to be caught in an endless war, but to prevent the United States and its other adversaries from achieving their own objectives through military strikes.