Iran’s acting defense minister says the Islamic Republic’s missiles determine the strategic equation in the confrontation with the US, arguing that American firepower has instead inflicted economic, reputational, and electoral costs on Washington itself.

“Bombs’ title and size do not matter! Your bombs will explode elsewhere; in your global reputation, the US economy, and even your electoral calculations!” Brigadier General Majid Ebn-e-Reza wrote in a post on X on Saturday.

“It is our missile power that has changed the equation and brought you to the point where you must already be saying, ‘Yes, sir!’” he added.

His remarks followed a CNN report that the US military had developed additional strike plans against Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, including potential use of the so-called GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), flaunted by Washington as the “mother of all bombs.”

Citing “US officials familiar with military planning,” CNN reported that President Donald Trump could order renewed attacks before or after the November midterm elections.

The White House has, however, not confirmed that alleged proposed operations will be carried out.

CNN, meanwhile, reported that Trump and his advisors had been exploring military options that could provide a “symbolic victory” and provide the US with an off-ramp.

Amid widespread criticism of Trump’s launching the latest aggression against Iran alongside the Israeli regime without any well-thought-out “exit strategy,” the network suggested that “domestic opposition” was among the factors weighing down on Washington.

The US launched the aggression against Iran on February 28 only to be faced with at least 100 waves of determined and successful Iranian counterstrikes on sensitive and strategic hostile targets across the region.

Trump announced a unilateral ceasefire on April 7 as the retaliation kept growing in proportion.

Still in reprisal, the Islamic Republic closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz to overwhelming effects on global energy prices.

Tehran reopened the waterway after the conclusion of a memorandum of understanding with Washington in June, but was forced to reestablish the closure amid continued American violations.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underlined that the Islamic Republic has unveiled only a fraction of its defensive and retaliatory power so far, while expressing certainty that the country is far better prepared than the United States to withstand the aftermath of the strait’s closure.