Describing the attacks in Sanaa as unprovoked, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said there is not, as yet, a "clear operational" link between Yemeni extremists and the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
"The United States strongly condemns today's suicide bombings," Earnest said.
"We express our condolences to the families of the victims, we deplore the brutality of the terrorists who perpetrated today's unprovoked attack on Yemeni citizens, who were peacefully engaged in Friday prayers."
The White House said: "We cannot at this point confirm the veracity of the claim."
"We have seen these kinds of claims in the past from other extremist groups," Earnest said, adding that claims of allegiance to Islamic State are often made for propaganda purposes.