WASHINGTON, July 9 (Xinhua) -- The United States condemned Wednesday's "terrorist" attack that took place near the U.S. consulate in Istanbul, Turkey that killed a total of six people.

    "The United States condemns the terrorist attack that took place on our consulate general in Istanbul earlier today," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.

    "We express our deepest condolences to the families of the three Turkish police officers killed, as well as their colleagues who were wounded in the attack," McCormack said.

    "We are grateful for their sacrifice and service. The Turkish police responded quickly and effectively. We deeply appreciate their courage in protecting American diplomats. And we also appreciate Turkish President (Abdullah) Gul's condemnation of the attack and the support of Turkish officials in Ankara, Istanbul," McCormack said.

    "Our countries will continue to stand firmly together to confront the threat of terrorism as we have done in the past," McCormack added.

Istanbul Police Chief Celalettin Cerrah (4th L, using mobile phone) and other security officials inspect the bodies of police officers in front of the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul July 9, 2008.

According to media report, a vehicle carrying four people came to the scene of attack on Wednesday morning. Three of the assailants got out of the car and fired at police officers standing sentry in front of the U.S. Consulate. After a gun battle, three officers and three assailants were killed.

    Turkish President Abdullah Gul has strongly condemned the terrorist attack.

    The most recent attack on a foreign mission in Turkey was in 2003 when al-Qaida militants detonated a car bomb outside the British consulate in Istanbul, and simultaneously attacked the British HSBC bank.