The White House said Monday that President Barack Obama had so far made no decision on whether to launch air strikes on ISIL militants in Syria.

The White House said Monday that President Barack Obama had so far made no decision on whether to launch air strikes on ISIL militants in Syria.

"The president has not made any decision to conduct military action in Syria," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, amid rising expectations of US action following American attacks against the "jihadist" group in Iraq.

Earnest addressed reports that the Pentagon has been preparing options for US military action in Syria, saying it was the job of the US military headquarters to plan for all kinds of scenarios.

"The president has not made any decision to order military action in Syria," Earnest said, before the president was due to meet Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on issues including the situation in Iraq and the threat from ISIL.