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The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Oscar Austin shot down an Iranian ballistic missile over Türkiye on Friday, a U.S. official confirmed to the Associated Press (AP), marking the third time in two weeks that a U.S. Navy destroyer in the Eastern Mediterranean intercepted an Iranian missile in Turkish airspace.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations, confirmed that the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) launched an SM-3 missile from the Eastern Mediterranean and successfully intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile.
Türkiye's Ministry of National Defense first announced the interception in a written statement on X.
"A ballistic munition fired from Iran and entering Turkish airspace has been neutralized by NATO air and missile defense elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean," the ministry said.
Previous Iranian ballistic munitions heading toward Turkish airspace were also neutralized by NATO air and missile defense elements on March 4 and March 9.
NATO also stated that it remains prepared to defend against all threats following the intercept.
"NATO continues to be ready to defend against any threat coming from any direction," the alliance said in a written statement to Türkiye's state-run Anadolu Agency (AA).
The statement added that NATO will "continue to adapt our ballistic missile defense system to evolving threats," while noting that operational details could not be shared.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said, "Friday morning, NATO once again successfully intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Türkiye. NATO remains on alert and is determined to defend all allies."
Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said the incident in which an Iranian ballistic munition entered Turkish airspace constitutes a direct threat to regional stability, and strongly condemned such movements against Turkish territory.
"This is a grave violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Such escalatory actions, which we consider unacceptable, pose a direct threat to regional stability. We once again declare our solidarity with brotherly Türkiye," the ministry said in a statement.
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