WASHINGTON — Pentagon leaders will consider asking for renewal of the U.N. mandate allowing U.S. troops to operate in Iraq if a new agreement can’t be worked out by the end of the year.

But Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell said officials are still optimistic they can work out a new, long-term strategic partnership arrangement and status of forces agreement for U.S. troops in Iraq in the next two months.

"It’s something the Iraqis wish for," he said. "They made it clear a long time ago they want to be treated like a partner ... like every other nation where we have troops. They don’t want to operate under the auspices of a U.N. resolution. They want to be treated like the independent nation they are."

President Bush said Wednesday that the U.S. had received and negotiators were analyzing the Iraqis’ proposed amendments to the status of forces agreement.

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Iraqi Cabinet members have approved four proposed amendments to the draft agreement, calling them "necessary to enable the government to persuade the people to accept the agreement."

They include a clear ban on U.S. troops using Iraqi territory to attack Iraq’s neighbors, clearer definitions of "duty" when cases arise involving crimes committed off base, and the right to inspect all U.S. military shipments entering or leaving Iraq.

U.S. negotiators will listen to those concerns, Morrell said, but would be hesitant to heavily revise what they see as a "good and fair agreement."

Last week the Russian foreign minister said his country would not block renewal of the U.N. mandate if a new arrangement cannot be worked out in the next two months.

Morrell said that is an option that U.S. officials would not prefer to do, but the Russian comments are encouraging.

On Wednesday, Multi-National Force-Iraq officials announced that they had turned over security responsibilities for Wassit Province to Iraqi forces, the 13th province to reach that milestone.

About one-third of the country still remains under U.S. and coalition control however, and Morrell said that not will change before the U.N. security mandate expires on Dec. 31.

"So it is essential that the Iraqi parliament pass the negotiated status of forces agreement, which will give U.S. forces the legal basis by which to operate in Iraq and continue to train Iraqi forces beyond New Year’s Eve," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.