The leader of the Islamic State, formerly Isis, has released the first audiotape calling for jihad since the group renamed. The group is currently battling Iraqi forces across large parts of the country.
A growing crisis has seen Iraq's second city of Mosul fall into the hands of Islamist fighters with links to Al Qaeda. In a challenge to the authority of the Iraqi government, it has lost a four day battle for control of the city.
The US has offered help to the Iraqi government to push back against the aggression.
ITV News diplomatic correspondent John Ray reports:
The Foreign Secretary has been clear on the threat of Isis, but he has ruled out the prospect of any UK military involvement in the crisis.
Iraq’s foreign minister, Hoshyar Zebari, is a natural diplomat. Polite, immaculately dressed, and blessed with a great memory.
Isis has paraded military equipment in Mosul it captured from when the Iraqi army fled in what some see as a "nightmare scenario."