An audio message purportedly from a Japanese journalist held by Islamic State militants said a Jordanian air force pilot also captured by the group would be killed unless an Iraqi woman jailed in Jordan was released by sunset on Thursday.

The message postponed a previous deadline, set on Tuesday, in which Japanese journalist Kenji Goto said he would be killed within 24 hours if Sajida al-Rishawi was not freed.

Before the new deadline passed, government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani said Jordan was still holding al-Rishawi, on death row for her role in a 2005 suicide bombing that killed 60 people in Amman.