The US has said a statement from North Korea accusing Washington of declaring war on it was "absurd". It comes after the latest escalation in a week of undiplomatic exchanges between North Korea and the U.S. In addition, The White House warned Pyongyang to stop its provocations "If North Korea does not stop their provocative actions, we will make sure that we provide options to the president to deal with North Korea." Pentagon spokesman Col Robert Manning said.