NATO shoots down third Iranian missile headed for Turkey

NATO air defenses in the eastern Mediterranean have shot down a third ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkey. Ankara has also asked Tehran for an explanation of the incident.

The Turkish ministry of defence said the missile had been intercepted by the alliance’s air defence systems. It was the third such incident in a short period. NATO destroyed the first missile on 4 March before it entered Turkish airspace. According to Ankara, the second had already crossed into it on 9 March.

The incidents are increasing tensions between Turkey and Iran and also present a test for NATO. Ankara, which has the alliance’s second-largest army and shares a border with Iran, has warned Tehran against any further attacks.

The Turkish ministry of defence said the country was taking all necessary measures to protect its territory and airspace. At the same time, it is holding talks with Iran to clarify the circumstances of the latest incident.

Iran has not yet responded directly. In the past, however, it has repeatedly denied that Turkey was deliberately targeted by its missiles during the conflict with the US and Israel.

After the series of incidents, NATO strengthened its defences in the region. The alliance expanded its missile defence capabilities and deployed the US Patriot system to the Turkish province of Malatya to protect the Kürecik radar base.

(Reuters, Lud)