Weighing their options, officials said, they quickly ruled out unilateral military strikes, the very response Mr. Bush had promised.

Instead, it converts self-defense into a broad doctrine that can justify unilateral pre-emptive strikes.

He also urged Israel to work together rather than make a unilateral strike on Iran's nuclear installations.

But the problem cannot be solved by bluster or military action, much less unilateral American strikes.

Almost all oppose a unilateral strike.

Some Republican moderates seeking to represent areas with a healthy presence of Democrats are holding back, expressing caution about a unilateral strike against Iraq.

Letters to the editor at The Cedar Rapids Gazette are running eight to one against a unilateral strike on Iraq.

Asked if a unilateral military strike by Israel had been ruled out, he added, "We don't think that's what we have to do."

And there were reports also that the administration had asked Israel not to take a unilateral early strike against Iran.

That would leave open the option for a coordinated military campaign among allies, or a unilateral American strike.