NATO forces have defused another ballistic missile fired from Iran, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on 13 March.
“The missile, which was launched from Iran and entered Turkish airspace, was neutralised by NATO air and missile defence assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean,” the ministry’s press service said.
The Defence Ministry adds that measures to threaten Turkey’s territory and airspace were taken “decisively and without delay”. Consultations are now ongoing with the “relevant country” on all aspects of the case.
The agency added that it was closely following and assessing developments in the region, “with national security as the highest priority”.
NATO spokeswoman Allyson Garth confirmed the shooting down of an Iranian missile bound for Turkey.
“NATO remains vigilant and stands firm in the defence of all Alliance members,” she added.
On 9 March, Turkey’s Defence Ministry reported the destruction of a ballistic missile launched from Iran in the country’s airspace. The debris fell in an uninhabited area in Gaziantep.
The US and Israel have been striking Iran since 28 February. Iran has been attacking Gulf countries with missiles and drones. On 4 March, a ballistic missile fired from Iranian territory was shot down in Turkish airspace. Iran said at the time that it had not launched any missiles towards Turkey.
On 5 March, an Iranian drone struck the airport in the city of Nakhchivan in Azerbaijan. Iran also said the airport was not a target. Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian on 7 March apologised to “neighbours who were hit by Iran”.