US and Israel have drawn up plans for possible renewed strikes on Iran after the midterms, reports say

Update, Saturday morning: "We may do another little Epic Fury," Trump said at a campaign rally in Fort Myers, Fla., on Friday night, using the name of the US military operation against Iran, Reuters and The Jerusalem Post reported. He did not elaborate. On Saturday, Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Ali Abdollahi, said on Iranian state television that Iran "will not allow US military ships in the Arabian Gulf under any circumstances," according to Gulf News. Separately, Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned in a memo to Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iran has "substantially increased" efforts to target US personnel, Gulf News reported, citing a US official and noting that Axios first reported the memo.

Update, Friday evening: Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey, said in an interview with podcast host Mario Nawfal on Friday that a US strike on Iran could happen as soon as this weekend. "Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely," Barrack said, according to The Times of Israel and AFP, via Al Arabiya. Both outlets noted that Barrack does not have a direct role on Iran. Asked about the remark later Friday, Trump told reporters, "If that's the case, I don't know anything about it," The Times of Israel reported. Trump had earlier said there would be no attack before the Nov. 3 elections.

The US and Israeli militaries have developed specific plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections, The New York Times reported, citing US officials and other people briefed on the deliberations. The Times said likely targets include Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenal.

NPR, citing a person briefed on the planning, reported that the US is moving forces into the region to be ready to attack by early November, and that the preparations could also be part of a campaign to pressure Iran into a diplomatic deal. ABC News, citing two Israeli sources, reported that the decision to resume joint strikes rests with President Donald Trump.

"The United States will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement to ABC News. A White House official told ABC News the administration does not comment on military plans and that Trump "keeps all options on the table." The Pentagon declined to comment.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said the US "may do it a little bit further," Anadolu Agency reported. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Iranian state media that Iran is "just as prepared for diplomacy as we are for war," according to NPR.

The US and Israel began strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. A ceasefire has not held, and the two sides have continued to clash over control of the Strait of Hormuz, NPR reported.