Mohammad Al-momani

The parents of an American hostage who the Islamic State group claimed had been killed in a US-led coalition air strike have said they are "hopeful" she is still alive.

Jordan beefed up its border defences with Iraq on Sunday after Sunni gunmen seized territory close to its border in Anbar province and appeared to have also taken control of the only land crossing with its large eastern neighbour, officials and witnesses said.

The parents of an American hostage who the Islamic State group claimed had been killed in a US-led coalition air strike have said they are "hopeful" she is still alive.

Jordan beefed up its border defences with Iraq on Sunday after Sunni gunmen seized territory close to its border in Anbar province and appeared to have also taken control of the only land crossing with its large eastern neighbour, officials and witnesses said.