Two Americans killed in Istanbul terrorist attack: White House

Two U.S. citizens were killed in Saturday's terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey, the White House confirmed.

The U.S. "condemns in the strongest possible terms" the attack, Ned Price, a National Security Council spokesperson, said in a White House statement.

A suicide bomber killed three Israelis and one Iranian in central Istanbul on Saturday, according to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

"Turkey has once again suffered a horrific terrorist attack, and we remain steadfast in our support for our NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) ally and partner," Price said, adding that terrorism "must come to an end" in Turkey.

"We are in close touch with Turkish authorities and reaffirm our commitment to work together with Turkey to confront the evil of terrorism," Price added.

The attacker also died in the bombing along with Israeli citizens Simha Simon Demri, Yonathan Suher and Avraham Goldman and Iranian Ali Reza Razmkhah, Turkish media said, quoting Istanbul's forensic science institution.

The blast in Istiklal Street, a pedestrian street popular with both locals and tourists, left 36 others injured, including foreigners from Ireland, Iceland, Germany, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Iran, said Turkish Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu.

Metal pieces and screws were detected on the bodies, implying the attacker used a cluster bomb, the Haberturk daily said.

Istanbul and Turkey's capital Ankara have come under repeated bombing attacks over the past few months, and the last one hitting Ankara on March 13 killed 37. Endit