The parents of a US woman held by Islamic State militants have been notified of her death, President Barack Obama has confirmed.

Carl and Marsha Mueller, the parents of Kayla Jean Mueller, released a statement saying they have been told she has died.

The White House also issued a statement confirming her death.

Islamic State said on Friday that the 26-year-old, from Prescott, Arizona, died in a Jordanian air strike.

The government of Jordan dismissed the statement as propaganda. US officials have said they had seen no evidence to corroborate the report.

Ms Mueller was the only known remaining US hostage held by IS. She was taken in August 2013 while leaving a hospital in Syria.

The US aid worker is believed to be the fourth American to die while being held by IS militants.

Three others - journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and aid worker Peter Kassig - were beheaded by the group.

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