A powerful car bomb rocked the Turkish capital, Ankara, Tuesday, killing three people and wounding at least 15.

The bomb blew up Tuesday near government buildings and a school, damaging cars and shops in the surrounding area.

Turkish officials say the blast appears to have been a terrorist attack. Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin said the intent was to inflict as much harm as possible, as the blast occurred in an area of heavy car and pedestrian traffic.

No one has claimed responsibility.

In New York, U.S. President Barack Obama, meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, offered condolences to the victims of Tuesday's blast. He called it a reminder that terrorism exists in many parts of the world.

Mr. Obama also thanked the Turkish prime minister for being a steadfast NATO ally and backing the United States in Afghanistan and Libya.

Neither talked about the differences between Turkey and the United States on the issue of Palestinian statehood.

Turkey supports Mahmoud Abbas' expected appeal to the United Nations General Assembly for recognition of a Palestinian state. The United States backs Israel in opposing such a move, at least before a Middle East peace deal is signed.