Donald Trump says Iran wants him to ‘keep bombing’, He’s ‘very disappointed’ in Australia; Israel hits plant at world’s largest gas field; Iran rejects 45-day ceasefire proposal

At the same news conference, Trump said the Iranian people would be “willing to suffer” from his threatened attacks on civilian power plants if it would ultimately secure their freedom.

When specifically asked whether attacking these locations in Iran would punish the civilian population, Trump responded: “It’s suffering. They would be willing to suffer that to have freedom.”

The president also argued that the Iranian people want the US military to continue its bombing campaign.

“We’ve had numerous interceptions: ‘Please keep bombing.’ Bombs falling near their homes: ‘Please keep bombing. Do it.’ And these are people who live where the bombs explode.

“And when we go away and don’t reach those areas, they say, ‘Please come back, come back, come back’.”

Trump’s comments come amid criticism that his pledge to “blow up” Iranian power plants, bridges and desalination plants would constitute war crimes.

Trump has given Tehran until 8pm US Eastern Time on Tuesday (10am AEST on Wednesday) to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, otherwise he will continue such attacks.