President Donald Trump suggested at a rally in Nebraska that Iran should “take out” Los Angeles and San Diego, as he discussed the impact of the conflict on fuel prices in the United States.
Speaking to a packed crowd on Monday night, Mr Trump said Iran had the firepower to destroy an American city, although he offered no evidence that it possessed long-range weapons of mass destruction.
He then said: “Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego.” Mr Trump described the prospect as a “small price to pay” and claimed the war with Iran was “essentially almost over with”.
The remarks came during comments about higher petrol prices, which Mr Trump said had resulted from the conflict and meant drivers were paying a “little bit” more at the pump.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the comments, writing on X: “The role of a president is to protect the country, not to actively threaten it and encourage attacks on American lives.”
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria also responded, saying: “San Diego is not collateral damage. We are not expendable. And we are never a ‘small price to pay.’ Keep our city out of your reckless war talk.”
