A ballistic missile fired from Iran and heading into Turkish airspace after passing Syria and Iraq was destroyed by NATO air and missile defence systems in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
The ministry said in a statement that there were no casualties or injuries in the incident, adding that Turkiye reserves the right to respond to any hostile actions against it, while warning parties to refrain from steps that could escalate the conflict.
“We condemn Iran’s targeting of Turkiye. NATO stands firmly with all Allies, including Turkiye, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region,” NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said.
“Our deterrence and defence posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defence.”
The incident marks the first time that NATO member Turkiye, Iran’s neighbour to the northwest, has been drawn into the expanding conflict.
“We warn all parties to refrain from actions that would lead to further escalation of conflict in the region. In this context, we will continue to consult with NATO and our other allies,” the Turkish Defence Ministry said.
“All necessary steps to defend our territory and airspace will be taken resolutely and without hesitation. We remind all parties that we reserve the right to respond to any hostile actions against our country,” it added.
Two other initial statements by senior Turkish officials about the incident did not mention NATO’s Article 4, which states that allies will “consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security” of a member is threatened.
Ankara said debris from the air defence missile that intercepted the ballistic missile fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay province in southeastern Turkiye.
