BAGHDAD, Iraq - Bowing to intense U.S. pressure, the head of the commission writing Iraq's new constitution agreed today to stick to the Aug. 15 deadline to complete the draft on condition that political leaders can exert their influence to overcome remaining differences.

Chairman Humam Hammoudi told parliament that he had recommended the commission formally ask the National Assembly for more time after the members deadlocked on such issues as the role of Islam, federalism and distribution of the national wealth.

But U.S. authorities ratcheted up pressure Sunday to stick by the deadline, which Washington considers essential to maintain political momentum, undermine the insurgency and pave the way for the Americans and their coalition partners to draw down troops next year.

After meeting with U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, President Jalal Talabani said Sunday that all efforts must be made to stick by the timetable and finish the charter by Aug. 15. Intense meetings took place late into the night to find a way out of the impasse.

The deadline for the commission to ask for an extension was today. Appearing before parliament today, Hammoudi said that if political leaders meet this week to resolve the differences, "on Aug. 15 we can be able to conclude the constitution."

Khalilzad told reporters after Hammoudi's announcement that the United States was sure that compromises could be made.

"There are options that can be identified," he said. "If there is good will and preparedness to compromise, then it can be arrived at. I urge the leaders to come with that spirit."

The interim constitution, which forms the legal framework for all current Iraqi government activities, states that parliament must approve the draft by Aug. 15 - not simply that the committee produce the document.

Once the document receives parliamentary approval, the charter goes to the voters for approval in a referendum in mid-October.

On Sunday, the U.S. military announced that five more American service members died in a pair of explosions in Baghdad the day before. Their deaths brought the number of Americans killed in the last week to 16.