Two Taliban rockets have landed inside the US embassy compound in Kabul.
Nobody was hurt as many foreigners in the capital marked Christmas Day.
Taliban militants, who have been fighting the US-backed government since being ousted from power in 2001, claimed responsibility for the embassy attack and another rocket that landed in the city.
Rocket attacks in Kabul have been rare in recent years, but the insurgents have vowed to step up pressure on the US and Afghan authorities before next year's presidential election and the withdrawal of US-led NATO combat forces.
In a text message to AFP, the Taliban claimed to have caused heavy casualties, but the insurgents regularly make exaggerated claims after attacks.
"Four rockets were fired at the US embassy in Kabul. All hit the target (causing) heavy casualties," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in the message.
