Iran Denies Firing Missile Toward Turkey Turkey’s defense ministry claimed a ballistic missile launched from Iran was intercepted by NATO forces before it reached Turkish territory, but Iran’s military denied firing the missile. The missile, detected as heading toward Turkish airspace, flew over Iraq and Syria before being shot down by a U.S. warship in the eastern Mediterranean. A senior U.S. military official confirmed the missile was aimed at Incirlik Air Base, a NATO facility in Turkey hosting American and allied troops. The U.S. Navy’s SM-3 interceptor, launched from the USS Oscar Austin, destroyed the missile shortly before midnight Eastern Time Tuesday. Fragments of the interceptor fell in Turkey’s Hatay province, near the Syria border, without causing casualties. Iran’s state news agency issued a statement asserting that its armed forces respect Turkey’s sovereignty and denied any missile launch toward the country. The incident follows Iran’s previous attacks on U.S.-hosted facilities in neighboring countries, retaliating against American and Israeli strikes on Tehran. A strike on Turkey, which shares a 300-mile border with Iran, could trigger NATO’s mutual defense clause, potentially involving all 32 alliance members. NATO condemned the targeting of Turkey, with a spokeswoman emphasizing the alliance’s strong deterrence posture. Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, discussed the missile incident with his Iranian counterpart, urging caution to prevent conflict escalation. The Turkish government summoned the Iranian ambassador to Ankara to express “concern and strong protest” over the attack. Turkey pledged to consult with NATO allies and take “necessary steps to defend its territory and airspace.” The country’s defense ministry emphasized its commitment to protecting its borders.#iran #nato #turkey #incirlik_air_base #oscar_austin
