site.btaTurkiye Says NATO Defences Intercept Iranian Missile Heading toward Its Airspace

NATO air and missile defence systems stationed in the eastern Mediterranean have destroyed a ballistic missile fired from Iran as it entered Turkish airspace after passing over Syria and Iraq, the Turkish Defence Ministry wrote on its official social media account on X on Wednesday.

Debris from the missile intercepted by NATO’s air defence system fell in the Dortyol, district of Hatay province in Southeastern Turkiye. 

"There are no casualties or injuries. Our determination and capability to protect the security of our citizens is at the highest level," the Ministry said.

Turkish military officials emphasized that they are prepared to take all necessary measures to protect the country’s territory and airspace. "We remind all parties that we reserve the right to respond to any hostile actions against our country," the Ministry stressed.

Turkiye also warned all countries to refrain from actions that could escalate the conflict in the region and said it will continue consultations with NATO and its allies.

The statement effectively confirms information provided earlier by Bulgarian caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov about a missile launch from Iran toward NATO member. However, it does not clarify whether the Iranian missile was deliberately targeted at Turkiye.

The incident marks the first time that NATO member Turkiye, Iran's neighbour to the northwest, has been directly targeted by the escalating Iran conflict, which now involves multiple countries in the region.