ANKARA/ISTANBUL, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish Defense Ministry said Friday that it intercepted a ballistic munition from Iran that entered Turkish airspace.
"A ballistic munition fired from Iran and entering Turkish airspace has been neutralized by NATO air and missile defense elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean," the ministry said in a statement.
"All necessary precautions are being taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country's territory and airspace," the ministry said.
It added that developments in the region are being closely monitored, with Türkiye's national security as a priority.
Sirens were heard Friday morning at Türkiye's Incirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.
Videos circulating on social media also appeared to show the arrival of a missile followed by the sound of an explosion.
The ministry said the latest incident marks the third intercepted ballistic munition launched from Iran toward Türkiye in recent days, amid rising regional tensions.
In response, Iranian Ambassador in Ankara Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh said at a press conference on Friday that the latest incident was "a question mark for us too," suggesting it was carried out by "third elements whose efforts are to harm the friendly and brotherly relations between the two countries."
On Tuesday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said a Patriot air defense system assigned by NATO to support Türkiye's airspace had been deployed in the eastern province of Malatya and was being prepared for operational readiness. ■
