Attack on US consulate in Afghanistan

U.S. troops, part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), investigate the site of an attack in Wardak Province, east of Kabul on Sunday. Photo / AP

Heavily armed gunmen in suicide vests have detonated a truck bomb outside the US consulate in the Afghan city of Herat, sparking a shootout with American forces.

US State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf says there are no American casualties and the US embassy in Kabul confirmed on Twitter that all consulate staff are safe.

Herat, in western Afghanistan near the Iranian border, is considered one of the least volatile cities in Afghanistan, where the Taliban are fighting a 12-year insurgency.

The front gate of the US consulate has been "extensively" damaged, Harf has told reporters.

Afghan officials say at least one person has been killed and 18 others wounded.

An AFP reporter at the scene says one vehicle has been completely destroyed. Four Afghan policemen are among the wounded, Herat hospital spokesman Mohammad Rafiq Sherzai says.

The US State Department says the attack started at 5:30am on Friday when the gunmen, dressed in suicide vests, drove up to the front gate in a truck, opened fire and then detonated the truck bomb.

American and contracted security personnel reacted to the attack but the assault is over, Harf said.

"It appears American and contract security personnel addressed any attackers who managed to enter the compound," she added, giving no further details.

- AFP