site.btaTurkiye Prioritizes Regional Stability but Reserves Right to Respond to Hostile Actions, Defence Ministry Says After Missile Strike

Ankara prioritizes the preservation of regional peace and stability but reserves the right to respond to hostile acts, Turkiye's Ministry of National Defence said after a missile fired from Iran and directed towards Turkiye was neutralized in the air on Wednesday.

Speaking at the weekly press briefing on Thursday, the National Defense Ministry spokesman, Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, said that Turkiye maintains its determination and capacity at the highest level to ensure the security of its citizens and its airspace, while continuing to pursue a responsible approach that prioritizes the preservation of regional peace and stability, but reserves the right to respond to hostile actions, regardless of where they come from.

On Wednesday, Ankara confirmed reports that NATO air and missile defence units had intercepted and neutralized a ballistic missile fired from Iran as it entered Turkish airspace after passing over Syria and Iraq.

There were no casualties in the incident, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday, adding that the parties should put an end to the attacks as soon as possible and resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy.

Akturk said Ankara is closely monitoring developments amid joint Israeli-US attacks on Iran and Tehran's subsequent targeting of third countries. He also expressed hope for an immediate end to the regional conflicts threatening civilian lives and stability.

He reiterated that Turkiye is ready to contribute to efforts aimed at resolving regional disputes through peaceful means. "Problems can only be resolved through dialogue," Akturk said.

The Defence Ministry said that there was no unusual movement along the Turkiye-Iran border and that security measures remain in place along all border areas.

According to the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, 1,200 people have been detained while trying to cross the country's borders illegally so far in 2026. Over the past week, Turkish authorities prevented 1,495 people from doing so, bringing the total number so far this year to 11,760 people.