[Anchor]
In the Middle East, clashes have escalated since the U.S. carried out what it called a \"severe\" strike on Iran.
Iran has launched drones and missiles at countries near Israel in retaliation. We'll connect to Cairo, Egypt, which borders Israel.
This is Park Hyun-woo, our correspondent.
[Reporter]
Reporting from Cairo.
It’s just before noon here.
Overnight reports that Iran conducted drone and missile strikes on countries around Israel have raised tensions in Egypt, which borders Israel.
Shortly after the U.S. warned yesterday of its most intense strikes on Iran and then struck targets including Tehran, local residents described the aftermath as \"like hell.\"
Around the same time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it would carry out its most powerful, large-scale operation and began striking countries surrounding Israel.
Foreign outlets say Iran targeted U.S. diplomatic and military facilities in Iraq with drones and missiles and launched missile attacks aimed at the U.S. naval base in Bahrain, among other strikes directed at U.S. assets.
A suspected drone strike near Dubai International Airport also wounded four people, including Ghanaians.
Israel struck back forcefully.
Israel added 18 trillion KRW (about 13.5 billion USD) to this year’s defense budget and has been bolstering its firepower, signing a deal with U.S. defense contractor Boeing to buy 5,000 new air‑launched precision‑guided munitions.
Israeli outlets released images they said show an Iranian air base hit by focused, targeted strikes, claiming at least 12 Iranian military aircraft were destroyed as part of an information campaign.
We also reported yesterday that 39 South Korean nationals escaped Israel and sought refuge in Egypt.
Officials say roughly half will fly to Turkey and then return to South Korea tomorrow.
[Anchor]
Tensions have also risen around the Strait of Hormuz as the U.S. and Iran clash daily.
[Reporter]
The situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint.
After Iran reiterated its intent to block oil shipments through the strait, the U.S. warned it would respond with force \"20 times\" greater if Tehran attempted to halt the flow of oil, and the two sides traded sharp rhetoric.
The rhetoric has been followed by strikes and shelling.
When Iran laid mines in the strait, the U.S. struck minelaying vessels and storage facilities to neutralize the threat. Merchant ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and along the UAE coast have also been hit by unidentified projectiles, forcing crews to abandon ship in several incidents.
This is Park Hyun-woo reporting from Cairo for Yonhap News TV.
[Live link: Moon Won-chul]
For Yonhap News TV reporting inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/Line jebo23
Park Hyun-woo (hwp@yna.co.kr)
