With attacks on American occupying forces intensifying, Iraq's US-appointed governor, Mr Paul Bremer, has held White House consultations after returning abruptly amid signs of a policy rethink.
Senior US officials held a hastily-convened meeting in Washington last night to discuss ways to accelerate a shift to Iraqi control.
Mr Bremer's return to Washington coincided with growing frustration with the Iraqi Governing Council and what some officials say is increasing friction with Mr Bremer himself over the pace of the transfer of authority to Iraqis.
"When decisions need to be made, Bremer comes. Some decisions need to be made," one US official told journalists.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was no expectation Mr Bremer would be leaving his post.
There have been media reports that the United States, frustrated by the council's internal squabbling and inability to make decisions, might abandon it and set up a structure like a provisional government to take over before elections are held.
"You have the December 15th (UN Security Council) deadline for the governing council to set out a timetable for drafting a constitution and holding elections. The discussions are with that in mind, looking at the performance of the governing council," one senior US official said.
With a recent surge in attacks on US-led forces occupying Iraq, local people cooperating with them and international groups, Washington wants ways to reduce the US presence and defuse hostility by shifting control faster to Iraqis.
But US officials suggested Washington would stick with the Iraqi Council. "Abandoning the Iraqi Governing Council is unlikely," one said.