The U.S. government is acting cautiously to cool the increasingly hostile North Korea situation as Pyongyang's provocative threats draw greater U.S. media attention.

Speaking on ABC News, a senior advisor to President Barack Obama Dan Pfeiffer said the administration would not be surprised if North Korea carried out a missile test. He said the problem with North Korea has been going on many years.

Regarding the Pentagon’s decision to delay test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile, Pfeiffer said the delay is not an indication the administration is caving to threats from North Korea.

Pfeiffer stressed the real focus and the onus is on North Korea to do the right thing, stop their actions, and start meeting their international obligations.

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham commented he sees a major war happening if the North Koreans overplay their hand this time in raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean and U.S. military authorities have delayed a Military Committee Meeting scheduled this month, and the commander of U.S. Forces Korea has also requested a delay in making a congressional hearing appearance.