The Obama administration says it continues to hold talks with Turkey on hosting U.S.-led troops for the fight against the Islamic State. National Security Adviser Susan Rice had said Turkey would provide its military bases, a claim the Turkish government then denied. At the White House, Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the talks are ongoing.

Josh Earnest: “This issue of military bases in Turkey is an issue that continues to be discussed between American officials and Turkish officials.”

Reporter: “So at this point, there is no formal agreement on that front?”

Josh Earnest: “Well, I think that might obvious from the public comments from both sides. But this is something that we continue to discuss with them.”

The Obama administration has pressured Turkey to take a more active role against ISIS, while Turkey has requested a buffer zone along its border with Syria. The dispute comes as Turkish warplanes have bombed one of the main groups fighting ISIS, the Kurdish Workers’ Party, or PKK. The Turkish military says it acted in retaliation to PKK attacks. The strikes are the first by Turkey against the PKK since a truce reached in 2012.