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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday to protest an Iranian ballistic missile that was intercepted heading toward Turkish airspace, urging Tehran to refrain from steps that could cause the conflict to spread further in the region.
"Foreign Minister Fidan held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Araghchi," said Turkish foreign ministry sources
"Our minister conveyed our reaction regarding the ballistic munition that was detected heading toward Turkish airspace after being fired from Iran and was neutralized, and stated that all steps that could cause the conflict to spread must be avoided," the sources noted.
The call came right after Türkiye's Ministry of National Defense (MoND) announced that NATO air and missile defense elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean had intercepted the incoming Iranian ballistic missile.
"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 defense ministry said in a statement.
Debris from the interception fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay province.
The debris was confirmed to belong to the interceptor munition used by air defense systems. No casualties or injuries were reported.
The defense ministry said Ankara'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.
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