[Anchor]
In the Middle East, clashes and retaliatory strikes have intensified after the United States carried out what it called an intense air campaign targeting Iran.
Iran has responded by launching drones and missiles at countries bordering Israel.
We go now to Egypt, which shares a border with Israel, where Park Hyun-woo is reporting.
[Reporter]
I'm in Cairo, Egypt.
It's just before 11 a.m. local time.
Overnight reports that Iran launched drone and missile strikes against countries surrounding Israel have raised tensions along Israel's borders, including here in Egypt.
Shortly after the U.S. warned of its most intense air campaign and then struck targets in Tehran and elsewhere, residents described the scene as \"like hell\" as airstrikes hit Iran.
At the same time, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it would mount its most powerful, large-scale operation and began striking countries near Israel.
Egypt has not reported direct damage so far. Foreign reports say Iran also fired drones and missiles at U.S. diplomatic and military facilities in Iraq and launched missile strikes aimed at a U.S. naval base in Bahrain — actions that signal a direct challenge to the United States.
Israel has responded in kind, stepping up its firepower.
Israel added 18 trillion KRW (about $13.5 billion) to this year’s defense budget and is boosting its arsenal, including a new deal with U.S. defense contractor Boeing to purchase 5,000 air-launched precision-guided munitions.
Yesterday local time, 39 South Korean nationals evacuated Israel and sought refuge in Egypt.
Officials say about half of them will fly to Turkey and are expected to return to South Korea tomorrow.
[Anchor]
There are also reports that Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since assuming Iran's top leadership, was injured.
[Reporter]
The New York Times reported that Mojtaba Khamenei — who assumed real power following the previous leader's death — was wounded by airstrikes on the opening day of the conflict.
He has avoided public appearances since his elevation, which fueled speculation. Analysts now believe his absence may be due not only to security concerns but also to injuries, the paper reports.
Iranian officials told reporters Mojtaba suffered leg injuries but remains conscious and is sheltering in a high-security facility with limited communications.
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain at a breaking point.
After Iran renewed its vow to block the strait — saying it would not allow a single drop of oil to pass — the U.S. warned it would respond with overwhelming force if Iran moved to halt oil flows. Those verbal threats have since escalated into strikes and shelling.
When Iran deployed mines in the strait, U.S. forces struck mine-laying vessels and associated storage facilities to neutralize the threat.
Separately, cargo ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and along the UAE coast have been struck by unidentified projectiles, prompting some crew evacuations.
This is Park Hyun-woo reporting for Yonhap News TV from Cairo.
[Live connection: Moon Won-chul]
Yonhap News TV story inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23
Park Hyun-woo (hwp@yna.co.kr)
