Newsletters
Iran denied on Thursday that it had fired any missiles toward Turkish territory and said it respects Türkiye's sovereignty, said the Iranian armed forces, according to the state news agency IRNA.
An Iranian military statement addressed the incident involving missile debris that fell in Hatay on March 4. It said Iran respects Türkiye's sovereignty and denies launching any missiles toward Turkish territory.
“Iran Armed Forces respect sovereignty of neighboring and friendly country Türkiye and deny that any missile was launched toward Turkish territory.” the statement said.
According to Türkiye's Ministry of National Defense, the missile was detected after crossing Iraqi and Syrian airspace and was successfully engaged by allied defenses.
Debris from the missile fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay province in southern Türkiye, with no casualties or injuries reported.
A ballistic munition fired from Iran toward Turkish airspace was intercepted and neutralized by NATO air and missile defense units in the Eastern Mediterranean on Wednesday, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said.
The ministry said on the Turkish social media platform X that the projectile, detected after passing through Iraq and Syria, was successfully engaged by air defenses.
Fragments that fell in the Dortyol district of southern Hatay province belonged to the interceptor used to destroy the threat, the ministry added.
“Our determination and capacity to ensure the security of our country and our citizens are at the highest level,” the statement said, noting that there were no casualties.
“While Türkiye stands for regional stability and peace, it is fully capable of safeguarding the security of its territory and citizens against any threat, regardless of origin,” it added.
The ministry stressed that all necessary measures to defend Turkish land and airspace will be taken decisively and without hesitation.
“We reserve the right to respond to any hostile act directed at our country,” it said, warning all parties against actions that could escalate the regional conflict.
Türkiye’s Communications Director Burhanettin Duran also confirmed on NSosyal that Ankara’s determination and capacity to protect the country remain at the highest level.
“Every step to defend our land and airspace will be taken without hesitation,” Duran said.
In a diplomatic response, Türkiye summoned Iran's ambassador, Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, to the Foreign Ministry.
During the meeting, Turkish officials conveyed a firm protest and deep concerns over the incident.
Officials underscored that any steps risking the expansion of conflicts and further destabilization of the region must be avoided at all costs.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
