At a press conference this afternoon, President Obama said that he's still considering responses to the escalating crisis in Iraq, where Sunni militants are gaining ground by the hour. While officials have said that he's considering airstrikes, Obama was clear at the conference that any military decision would be contingent on the Iraqi government's plan for follow-up action.

"The U.S. is not simply going to involve itself in a military action in the absence of a political plan by the Iraqis," he said. He later added that he won't put troops on the ground.

Obama also stressed that, although the situation is deteriorating quickly in Iraq, he's not going to decide what to do "overnight," adding that it will take a few days to determine whether the U.S. can work with Iraqi government on a political solution. Most importantly, Obama said offering military aid depends on the Iraqi government's commitment to setting aside sectarianism. "The United States will do our part, but ultimately it's up to the Iraqis as a sovereign nation to solve their problems," he said.

[Image via AP]