A non-military resolution to Syria's conflict "would be better," but force could be used for "taking out" Islamic State if necessary, Biden said Saturday following meetings with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul.

"We do know that it would be better if we could reach a political solution," Biden said. "We are prepared if that's not possible to have a military solution to this operation."

The U.S. has been carrying out "precision strikes" on Islamic State in the Middle East based on intelligence, and last year President Barack Obama criticized Republicans who urged carpet bombing of the group's strongholds.

A Biden official traveling with the vice president told reporters the comments represented no change in U.S. policy, according to a press pool report that didn't name the official.