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Türkiye's Defense Ministry announced Wednesday that NATO air and missile defense assets in the Eastern Mediterranean intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile that was detected heading toward Turkish airspace after being fired from Iran and crossing Iraqi and Syrian airspace.
Turkish officials said that Türkiye “was not a target” of the strike, Agence-France Presse (AFP) reports.
"We believe it aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course," the official said, wishing to remain anonymous.
"A ballistic munition fired from Iran, which was detected heading toward Turkish airspace after crossing Iraqi and Syrian airspace, was timely engaged and neutralized by NATO air and missile defense elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean," the ministry said in a statement Wednesday.
Debris from the interceptor munition fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay province after the threat was destroyed in the air.
The debris was confirmed to belong to the air defense interceptor, not the incoming missile. No casualties or injuries were reported.
Incirlik Air Base is controlled and run by the Turkish military despite hosting U.S. troops.
The U.S. has over 1,000 military personnel at Incirlik, according to media reports.
The ministry said Türkiye's determination and capacity to ensure the security of its country and citizens were at the highest level.
"Türkiye sides with regional stability and peace and is capable of ensuring the security of its territory and citizens regardless of where a threat originates," the statement said.
"Every step necessary for the defense of our territory and airspace will be taken with determination and without hesitation. We remind all parties that our right to respond to any hostile act against our country is reserved," the ministry added.
Türkiye warned all parties against taking steps that would cause the conflict to spread further in the region, saying it would continue consultations with NATO and other allies in this regard.
The United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28 while negotiations between Tehran and Washington were still underway.
The strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous senior officials.
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