US and Afghan forces have fought off an attack by Taliban insurgents on the US consulate in the western city of Herat.
Two Afghan police and one security guard were killed in the dawn assault, along with seven attackers. The US consulate said its staff were safe, the BBC reports.
The Taliban said they carried out the attack, which began with a huge blast at the compound gates, sparking a gun battle near consulate buildings.
Attacks continue despite the planned withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014.
Seventeen civilians, including women and children, were injured in the Herat attack.
