An American citizen was among those killed in a deadly attack on a restaurant packed with foreigners in Bangladesh, US officials said Saturday, pledging support to the government in Dhaka.

The White House and the State Department announced the death, but did not identify the US citizen. 

"We can confirm that a US citizen was also among those senselessly murdered in this attack," State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

"Today, as always, we stand with the people of Bangladesh and in our shared efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism."