NATO defense installations intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile near Turkey today, the National Defense Ministry has announced.
"A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defence assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean," the ministry said in a statement.
There have been no casualties due to the attack, and some debris landed in the southeastern city of Antep, the statement noted.
This was the second such incident since the start of the air war between the US-Israel alliance and Iran on Feb 28. Turkey also announced on Mar 4 that NATO defenses in the Mediteranean had downed an Iranian ballistic missile.
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The missile may have been aimed at the İncirlik Air Base in Adana, southern Turkey, where US and NATO forces maintain a significant presence, or the Kürecik Radar Station in Malatya, which is operated by NATO.
Iran, which has launched missile and drone barrages on Israel and US assets in the region in retaliation for these two countries' air campaign against it, has denied targeting Turkey, Azerbaijan, or Cyprus, describing incidents in these countries as possible false flag attacks.
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The ministry warned against further attacks in its statement: "Türkiye places great importance on good neighbourly relations and regional stability. However, we once again emphasize that all necessary measures will be taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country's territory and airspace.
"We also reiterate that it is in everyone's interest to heed Türkiye's warnings in this regard."
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Presidential Communications Director Burhaneddin Duran also issued a warning to Tehran, saying in a written statement that "it is of great importance that the tension in the region does not escalate further and that the conflicts do not spread over a wider area."
"We once again strongly reiterate our warning to all parties, especially Iran, to stay away from actions that jeopardize regional security and could put civilians in danger," he said.
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