A ballistic missile fired by Iran heading towards Turkey was destroyed by NATO’s air defense in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The ballistic missile was launched from Iran and was heading towards Turkish airspace when it was shot down, announced the Turkish Ministry of Defense, as cited by Sky News.
NATO's air defense systems destroyed the missile that passed through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and was heading towards the Turkish province of Hatay, as stated in a press release from the Turkish presidency office.
A fragment of a defensive missile fell in an open area in southern Turkey, with no reported loss of life or injuries, as mentioned by a source cited by CNN.
"Although Turkey supports regional stability and peace, it is fully capable of protecting its territory and citizens, regardless of the source or origin of any threat. All necessary measures to defend our territory and airspace will be decisively and promptly taken," the Turkish Ministry of Defense conveyed in a statement.
"We reiterate that we reserve the right to respond to any hostile act directed against our country. We call on all parties to refrain from actions that could further escalate the conflict in the region," the statement further read.
The Ministry announced that Turkey will engage in discussions with NATO and other allies following this incident.
The Incirlik Air Base is controlled and managed by the Turkish military, although it hosts American troops. According to media reports, the US has over 1,000 soldiers stationed at Incirlik.
The incident marks the latest escalation in the conflict involving Iran.
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Prior to the start of the American-Israeli attacks, Turkey, a NATO member and neighbor of Iran, had been urging Washington and Tehran for weeks to reach an agreement during the negotiations on Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities, warning that the region cannot withstand further destabilization.
The conflict rapidly expanded after the initial attacks on Iran on Saturday, with Tehran targeting Gulf countries hosting American bases and Israel striking Iran-backed Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
T.D.