People stand outside the entrance of the US embassy in Ankara, Feb. 1, 2013, after a blast killed two security guards and wounded several other people. AFP/Getty Images

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney today strongly condemned the attack on the U.S. embassy in Ankara, Turkey, saying "a suicide bombing on the perimeter of an embassy is by definition an act of terror."

"It is a terrorist attack," Carney told reporters at the White House daily briefing.

"However, we do not know at this point who is responsible or the motivations behind the attack," he continued. "The attack itself is clearly an act of terror."

Carney would not comment on reports that the suicide bomber was connected to an outlawed leftist group.

"We'll work closely and are working closely with Turkish authorities to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those killed and injured, and we greatly appreciate the support we have received from our Turkish friends in responding to this terrible tragedy," he said.

"Turkey remains one of our strongest partners in the region, a NATO ally. We have worked shoulder to shoulder with the Turks to counter terror threats… and this will only strengthen our resolve," he said.