The United States will consider requests for help from a new Iraqi government but is adamant it won't send in combat forces to deal with the threat of rampaging extremists.
Both Secretary of State John Kerry and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel insist a political solution, not a military one, is the answer to Iraq's stability.
Already, the US has agreed to requests to move military equipment to the Kurdish capital of Erbil.
It is also providing humanitarian assistance, as is Australia.
"We will wait and see what future requests this new government would ask of us and we would consider those," Mr Hagel told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday after talks with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister David Johnston.
Mr Kerry flagged the US was prepared to consider additional political, economic and security options to help stabilise the security situation, expand economic development and strengthen Iraq's democratic institutions.
"We have always wanted an inclusive, participatory government that represents the interests of Shia, Kurd, Sunni minorities - all Iraqis," he said.
Mr Kerry urged prime minister-designate Haidar al-Abadi to form a new cabinet swiftly.
He also strongly backed President Barack Obama's stance there would be no return of US combat forces.
"Nobody, I think, is looking towards a return to the road that we've travelled," he said.
"This is a fight that Iraqis need to join on behalf of Iraq."
But the US would consider supporting Iraqi forces with training or equipment.
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