"How would it not be a war crime?" one reporter asked, in reference to Trump's threats.
"Because they killed 45,000 people in the last month," Trump responded, referring to Iran's government.
No independent entity has been able to verify such a figure. Iran's official number is just under 4,000 for those killed in mass protests that erupted in January, including police officers.
"They're animals, and we have to stop them," Trump added.