Trump says Iranians 'animals' when asked why he would bomb power plants

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iranians are "animals," therefore bombing their civilian infrastructure like power plants would not be considered a war crime. 

"How would it not be a war crime to strike Iran’s bridges and power plants?" A reporter asked Trump.

"Because they killed 45,000 people in the last month...they are animals," Trump said, referring to casualty numbers from a brutal crackdown on demonstrations earlier this year. 

According to official figures, 3,117 people were killed - including protesters, security forces and bystanders.

Opposition groups say the real number is much higher. The US-based human rights organisation HRANA estimates at least 7,015 deaths, although other Iranian opposition groups abroad have said tens of thousands were killed. 

Attacking civilian infrastructure is generally considered a war crime.