ANKARA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that a ballistic projectile allegedly launched from Iran was successfully intercepted by NATO air and missile defense units deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In a statement, the ministry said the ballistic projectile was detected after launch from Iran and tracked as it transited Iraqi and Syrian airspace before turning toward Turkish airspace.
NATO units stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean carried out a timely engagement, eliminating the threat mid-flight, said the ministry.
Following the interception, debris was examined in the Dortyol district of southern Hatay province. The ministry confirmed the fragment recovered belonged to the air defense munition used during the interception, not the incoming ballistic threat. No fatalities or injuries were reported in the incident.
"We reiterate that we reserve the right to respond to any hostile act directed at our country," the ministry said, calling on all parties to refrain from actions that could lead to a wider escalation of conflict.
After the incident, Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
During the talks, Fidan conveyed Türkiye's reaction regarding the ballistic munition, while stressing the need to avoid any steps that could lead to a broader escalation of conflict, according to the state-run TRT broadcaster. ■
