The United States is pressing the Iraqi government to say when it can provide security for more provinces and implement measures to reconcile warring sects, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Monday.
Rumsfeld said the United States was setting no penalties and holding the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki to no specific dates.
But he said the United States had been working with the Iraqi government on a "way forward" that lays out a broad timetable projecting when certain tasks might be accomplished.
"For example, they have passed over two provinces to Iraqi governance. And they are planning to pass over the other 16," Rumsfeld told reporters.
"And so the question is when do you think that might happen? When do you think the Iraqis might be ready to do that, to assume those responsibilities?" he said.
Rumsfeld said the Iraqis have announced a reconciliation process, and so US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad and General George Casey, the US commander in Iraq, "looking at that and saying when are the various elements of that likely to happen."
Rumsfeld and other officials have said the discussions with the Iraqis have been under way for several months.
But the appear to be taking on greater urgency in the face of escalating sectarian violence.
The US military on Monday said five more US troops were killed on Sunday, raising the toll of American military dead this month to 85, higher than in any single month since October 2005, when 96 US troops lost their lives.
Rumsfeld said the violence followed a pattern in previous years of intensifying attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramazan.
But other administration officials also have said insurgents appear to be stepping up attacks in hopes of influencing the US legislative and gubernatorial elections on November 7.