File image.
NATO air and missile defense systems deployed in the eastern Mediterranean Sea shot down a ballistic missile launched from Iran as it headed into Turkish airspace after passing Syria and Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence announced on March 4.
The incident marked the first time the Islamic Republic has fired at Turkey, a member of NATO, since the beginning of the American-Israeli war.
“A ballistic munition launched from Iran, which was detected passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and heading towards Turkish airspace, was engaged in a timely manner by NATO air and missile defense assets stationed in the eastern Mediterranean and rendered inactive,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The munitions fragment that fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay province was identified as belonging to the air defense munitions that intercepted the threat after it was destroyed in the air,” the ministry continued, noting there were no casualties.
“Any steps necessary to defend our territory and airspace will be taken decisively and without hesitation,” it added.
The ministry further stressed that Turkey “reserves the right to respond to any hostile actions” directed against its territories.
“We warn all parties to refrain from actions that would lead to further escalation of conflict in the region. In this context, we will continue to consult with NATO and our other allies,” it said.
Through footage released by İhlas News Agency, the interceptor was identified as an American-made RIM-161 Standard Missile 3. Based on the type of the interceptor, and the Turkish defense ministry statement, it is almost certain that Iranian missile was shot down by one of the warships in the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group, which is currently deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Following the incident, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conveyed Ankara’s concern to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.
Speaking over the phone, Fidan told Aragchi that any step that could lead to the escalation of the conflict should be avoided, the official Anadolu Agency reported, citing Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.
“We condemn Iran’s targeting of Turkey. NATO stands firmly with all allies, including Turkey, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region,” NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said, using the country’s official name.
“Our deterrence and defense posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defense,” she added.
The target of the Iranian missile attack was likely Incirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana. The NATO base is critically important for the United States as a key forward-deployed hub for rapid air operations, and nuclear weapons storage in the Middle East.
Iran remained silent, reframing from denying or confirming the attack. Considering the scale of the attacks the Islamic Republic has so far launched against U.S. bases in other neighboring countries, the missile launch was likely more of a warning.
Turkey has been very supportive of Iran since the start of the war, and Incirlik is not being used to launch attacks against the Islamic Republic. Thus, it is highly unlikely to see any further escalation between the two countries.
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if iran runs out of us bases in other countries to target, they should indeed target the one in erdoganistan.
israel stock market is at an all time high. iran is kaput.
stock in what? fake imaginary human skin lampshade factories, you kike rats have been lying about for 80 years now? the lamp you liars brought to the nuremberg trial was dna tested and it turned out to be made of cow hide. but you hasbara jew trolls edited wikipedia like naftali bennet admited years ago to hide the truth from the goyim.
every story you jews tell is a lie your whole history is a lie of subversion and causing mistery to the host nations who eventualy kick you out!
it was at all time high also in venezuela, zimbabwe and weimar germany as they were sinking deeper and deeper. effing idiots have no effing clue.
the zonists wish to usher in the age of bacteria
if i.r.iran would like to strike them, they would do so.
anyways in lebanon south 6 merkavas are whack melted steel.