Turkey’s defence ministry says North Atlantic Treaty Organization forces have intercepted and destroyed a third ballistic missile launched from Iran since the outbreak of the expanding Middle East conflict, marking another major security escalation near NATO territory.
According to an official statement, the missile entered Turkish airspace before it was neutralised by NATO air and missile defence systems positioned in the eastern Mediterranean.
“A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralised by NATO air and missile defence assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean,” Turkey’s defence ministry said.
The latest interception came hours after warning sirens sounded at Incirlik Air Base, one of NATO’s most strategic military facilities in southern Turkey, where U.S. troops and allied personnel are stationed. Local residents in nearby Adana reported hearing alarms in the early hours of Friday, while videos shared online showed what appeared to be a fast-moving burning object crossing the night sky.
Sirens were also reported in Batman, further east, near a military drone installation close to the city’s airport.
This is the third missile incident involving Turkish airspace since hostilities intensified in late February. NATO previously intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles on March 4 and again earlier this week, heightening concerns that the conflict may increasingly spill into alliance territory.
The latest incident has renewed security concerns across southeastern Turkey, prompting continued caution from Western authorities. Earlier this week, the United States temporarily closed its consulate in Adana and advised American citizens in the region to leave southeastern Turkey as a precaution.
Masoud Pezeshkian reportedly denied that the missile was intentionally fired from Iran during a phone conversation with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as Ankara continues diplomatic contacts aimed at preventing further escalation.
Since the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran began on February 28, Tehran has carried out retaliatory strikes across several parts of the Middle East, targeting areas linked to Western military presence.
Incirlik Air Base remains one of NATO’s most sensitive regional facilities, hosting military personnel from multiple allied countries, including Spain and Poland.
Another key site is Kürecik Radar Station in central Turkey, where NATO operates an early-warning radar system capable of detecting missile launches from Iran. NATO describes the installation as a critical part of its missile shield architecture.
In response to the growing threat, Turkey recently confirmed the deployment of a MIM-104 Patriot missile defence system in Malatya, reinforcing NATO’s expanded ballistic missile posture across the region.
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