Obama denies $400 million payment to Iran was ransom

The president’s appearance before reporters followed an hours-long meeting with military leaders at the Pentagon on the fight against the Islamic State.

Obama said there have been gains in weakening Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, but he conceded that the extremist group is shifting its tactics to carrying out attacks elsewhere around the world.

The session at the Pentagon occurred as the U.S. was bombing targets in and around the Libyan city of Sirte, a notable expansion of the U.S.-led coalition’s military mission against Islamic State.

At the urging of the Pentagon, Obama authorized the strikes that started this week and include precision strikes against Islamic State tanks, rocket launchers and fighting positions.