Trump on Iran: 'Let them take out LA, let them take out San Diego'

US President Donald Trump's remark that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles and San Diego have sparked fierce backlash from California politicians - and a strongly worded rebuttal from the White House.

California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the comments - made by Trump during a midterms rally in Nebraska - as "deranged and dangerous," while LA Mayor Karen Bass described them as threats and an attempt to "encourage attacks on American lives".

According to the White House, however, Trump was saying that American cities would have been threatened by Iran had he not launched a war there earlier this year.

The cities are the largest in southern California and house major US military installations including Navy ports and Air Force bases.

Read more about President Trump's comments here.