PRESTOPUNDIT

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration plans to delay major assaults on rebel-held cities in Iraq until after U.S. elections in November, say administration officials, mindful that large-scale military offensives could affect the U.S. presidential race. Although American commanders in Iraq have been buoyed by recent successes in insurgent-held towns such as Samarra and Tall Afar, administration and Pentagon officials say they will not try to retake cities such as Fallouja and Ramadi — where the insurgents' grip is strongest and U.S. military casualties could be the highest — until after Americans vote in what is likely to be an extremely close election.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi security forces, backed by U.S. Marines and troops, launched a series of raids Tuesday on seven mosques in the central city of Ramadi, the U.S. military said ..

In other action Tuesday, U.S.-led forces launched airstrikes in Falluja that destroyed a meeting center and a safe house used by the Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's network, the U.S. military said.