"미, 이란 교량·공항 피격"...이란 "홍해 봉쇄도 준비" / YTN

[Anchor] As the U.S. military continues airstrikes on Iran for the sixth consecutive day, it appears that Iranian airports, railway stations, and bridges have been attacked, and the attack zone has expanded to the northern inland. The crisis in the Middle East is escalating as Iran warns that if its infrastructure is struck, it could result in damage to infrastructure across the entire region as well as a blockade of the Red Sea. We connect to Washington. Correspondent Shin Yun-jeong! There are reports emerging that the U.S. attacked Iranian civilian facilities during today's airstrikes, correct? [Reporter] The U.S. Central Command has been continuing nighttime airstrikes for the sixth day with the goal of weakening Iran's military presence on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported just moments ago that the Iran Shar Airport in southeastern Iran, bridges, and a railway transfer station were hit, followed by a series of explosions. It is reported that casualties resulted from these airstrikes. Analysts are also emerging that the U.S. military has abruptly expanded the scope of its airstrikes beyond southern coastal cities near Hormuz to the outskirts and inland areas of the Iranian capital, Tehran. The U.S. military announced that it has continued its naval blockade for the third day, forcing three merchant ships to turn back and neutralizing one that disobeyed orders. President Trump claimed the military operation was successful, stating that Iran wants a settlement due to the powerful U.S. airstrikes and that the military will soon defeat Iran. [Donald Trump / U.S. President: Iran really wants a settlement. They don't like what we are doing. We will see whether we make a settlement with Iran or just end it completely. We will defeat Iran soon. Iran will be defeated very soon.] [Anchor] I hear Iran is also raising the level of its countermeasures? [Reporter] The Iranian military publicly warned that if the U.S. attacks its infrastructure, such as power plants and bridges, it will target infrastructure across the Middle East for retaliation. Iran's state-run IRIB broadcaster reported, citing a statement from a military spokesperson, that "if the U.S. carries out its threats, we will strike all remaining infrastructure in the region." Claiming that "U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Jordan were targeted," they also warned that neighboring countries supporting U.S. attacks would inevitably pay a price. Earlier, President Trump threatened to attack all of Iran's civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, if an agreement is not reached by next week. In addition, it has been reported that Iran instructed the Houthi rebels in Yemen to prepare to blockade oil shipping routes in the Red Sea in anticipation of attacks on power infrastructure. The Houthis are said to have completed the deployment of missiles and drones near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a gateway to the Red Sea, and are currently awaiting the order to launch an attack. Amidst this, the Houthi rebels warned that if armed conflict with Saudi Arabia escalates, Saudi oil facilities and key infrastructure could also become targets. [Abdul Malik Al-Houthi / Houthi Rebel Leader: All of Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and critical infrastructure will become targets for our missiles and drones.] With the Strait of Hormuz already closed, there are concerns that if the Red Sea is also paralyzed, an unprecedented global energy crisis will occur, blocking the Middle East's two major oil export routes simultaneously. However, international oil prices fell by only 0.9% from the previous session, showing a cautious stance as they watch the unfolding situation. [Anchor] The level of military action is escalating, but are dialogue channels still operational? [Reporter] The White House is shifting the blame to Iran, stating that the reason the airstrikes are continuing is because Iran fired upon merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in violation of the peace agreement... (excerpt) YTN Shin Yun-jeong ([email protected]) ▶ Original Article : https://www.ytn.co.kr/_ln/0104_202607... ▶ Send a Tip : https://mj.ytn.co.kr/mj/mj_write.php ▣ Subscribe to YTN YouTube Channel : http://goo.gl/Ytb5SZ ⓒ YTN Unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, and use of AI data are prohibited