Turkish Ministry of Defense Air reported that defense systems operated by NATO have intercepted a third ballistic missile launched from Iran toward Turkey. The missile was reportedly neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean after entering Turkish airspace, the ministry said in a statement released on Friday.
The latest incident follows two previous missile interceptions earlier this month. NATO air defense systems shot down the first missile on March 4, followed by another interception on March 9.
Turkish officials stated that the first missile was destroyed before reaching Turkish airspace, while the second and third incidents involved projectiles that entered the country’s airspace before being intercepted.
A spokesperson for NATO confirmed the development, stating that the alliance remains vigilant and committed to defending all member states.
The Turkish government said it has requested clarification from Iran regarding the missile launches as the conflict involving the United States and Israel continues across the region.
In its statement, the Turkish Ministry of Defense stressed that all necessary measures are being taken to protect the country’s territory and airspace, adding that consultations with the relevant country are in progress to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Iran has not yet commented on the latest interception but has previously denied deliberately targeting Turkey.
Earlier on Friday, residents of Adana reported being awakened by air raid sirens at approximately 3:25 a.m. local time. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show a burning object moving rapidly across the sky.
Turkish defense sources stated that the images likely captured fragments of a missile burning up in the atmosphere, which later fell to the ground near the city.
Adana is located close to Incirlik Air Base, a strategic military installation that hosts United States forces and personnel from several NATO countries.
In response to the recent incidents, NATO has reinforced its ballistic missile defense network in Turkey. The United States has deployed a MIM-104 Patriot air defense battery to Malatya Province to strengthen protection around the Kürecik Radar Base.
The radar facility plays a crucial role in NATO’s missile shield by detecting potential missile launches from Iran and providing early warning to allied defense systems.
Although Ankara has repeatedly stated that data from the Kürecik radar system is not shared with Israel, the presence of the facility has long been a point of tension between Turkey and Iran.
