Trump calls Iran leaders ‘deranged scumbags’ as Middle East violence spirals

Tehran residents report relentless bombing with US and Israeli planes launching wave of attacks

• Middle East crisis - live updates

Donald Trump has said Iran will be hit very hard" in the coming days, describing leaders of the regime as deranged scumbags" who it was a great honor" to kill, as Tehran residents reported relentless bombing and violence continued to spiral across the Middle East.

The US president's comments, which signaled an intensification of the US-Israeli campaign, came as Israeli and US warplanes launched successive waves of attacks on the Iranian capital and elsewhere on Friday. One strike reportedly hit close to a square near Tehran University where crowds were gathered in support of Iran's regime. The area is home to many government buildings.