President Bush is trying to convince the world that he has no intention of invading Iran amid growing skepticism.
Having ordered two aircraft carriers to the Gulf and accused Iranians of providing Iraqi militants bombs that have killed 170 Americans, Mr Bush and his aides are struggling to counter speculation that a new war is brewing.
Mr Bush himself prompted the talk in a January 10th speech by saying "Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces."
A debate has since raged over whether he has an attack on Iran in mind. "Next Stop Iran?" asked the Economist's cover this week over a picture of a US military aircraft in flight.
The White House sees tensions with Iran over its nuclear ambitions as a separate issue from Tehran's alleged bomb supplies in Iraq.
Mr Bush says he wants the nuclear issue resolved diplomatically but has authorised US forces to capture or kill Iranians involved in attacks on Americans or Iraqis inside Iraq.
"We're not getting ready for war on Iran, but what we are doing is we're protecting our own people," a White House spokesman said.