Iran Denies Launching Missile Toward Turkish Territory After NATO Interception

Iran’s Armed Forces have denied accusations that they launched a missile toward Turkish territory, stating that Tehran fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Turkiye.

The statement, released through Iranian state media on Thursday, came after Turkiye’s Ministry of National Defence reported that a ballistic missile detected flying from Iran through Iraqi and Syrian airspace had been intercepted by NATO air and missile defense systems over the eastern Mediterranean.

According to Turkish officials, the missile was neutralized before it could pose a threat to Turkish airspace. Authorities confirmed that no casualties or damage were reported following the incident.

In its statement, the Turkish defense ministry said NATO defense assets stationed in the eastern Mediterranean successfully engaged and destroyed the missile after it was detected moving in the direction of Turkiye.

Officials also noted that it remains unclear what the intended target of the missile may have been.

Turkiye warned that it reserves the right to respond to any hostile act against its territory while urging all parties in the region to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the nation later in the evening, saying the government was working closely with NATO allies and taking every precaution to protect the country’s borders and airspace.

He stressed that strengthening national defence capabilities was essential during times of regional instability.

“We are taking all necessary measures together with our allies and issuing clear warnings to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Erdogan said.

Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reportedly conveyed Ankara’s protest during a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, according to the Reuters news agency.

Meanwhile, NATO strongly criticised the incident. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance stands firmly with its member states, including Turkiye, and maintains a strong defense posture across all operational domains.

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said there was no indication that the interception would trigger NATO’s Article 5 collective defense clause, which states that an attack on one NATO member is considered an attack on all.

The situation has drawn attention to the strategic importance of Incirlik Air Base, a major military installation used by Turkish forces and allied NATO operations.

The base has historically played a key role in international military missions, including operations during the 1991 Gulf War and later campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although Turkiye refused to allow the base to be used during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, it later became an important hub for coalition air operations against ISIL beginning in 2014.

Authorities in Ankara say they will continue monitoring the situation closely while coordinating with NATO partners to ensure the security of Turkish airspace.

Reporting by Warbaahin News