Turkey said NATO missile defence systems intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran before it could enter Turkish airspace, according to a statement from the country’s Ministry of National Defence.
The ministry said the missile was detected heading toward Turkey after crossing Iraqi and Syrian airspace and was neutralised in time by NATO air defence systems deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to Turkish authorities, debris that later fell in the Dörtyol area of Hatay province was part of Turkey’s own air defence system used to intercept the threat. Officials said no casualties or injuries were reported.
The development marks the latest indication that the rapidly escalating confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States is expanding beyond its initial theatres, with missile launches and drone activity increasingly affecting neighbouring countries and regional airspace.
Turkey, a NATO member, hosts elements of the alliance’s integrated air and missile defence architecture, which is designed to detect and intercept ballistic threats across the region. Ankara said its response was carried out within this framework.
In its statement, the Turkish defence ministry also issued a warning that any threat to the country’s territory or airspace would be met with decisive action.
“Any step taken to defend our territory and airspace will be decisive and without hesitation,” the ministry said, adding that Turkey reserves the right to respond to any hostile act directed at the country.