US verifying IS chief recording, but says 'no reason to doubt'

The United States is still trying to verify a purported recording of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who had been rumoured to be dead, but suggested the tape released today could well be real.

"We are aware of the audio tape purported to be of Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and are taking steps to examine it," an intelligence community source said in a statement.

"While we have no reason to doubt its authenticity, we do not have verification at this point.