NATO air defence systems have intercepted a second ballistic missile launched from Iran toward Turkey within a week, Turkish officials said, heightening tensions in the region and prompting Ankara to strengthen its military readiness.
According to Turkey’s authorities, the latest missile was shot down by NATO defences before reaching its target, with debris falling near the city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey. A similar interception took place days earlier in Hatay province. No casualties were reported in either incident.
In response, Ankara has announced additional security measures, including the deployment of a Patriot missile defence system in Malatya as part of NATO’s integrated air defence network. Turkey has also sent six F-16 fighter jets to Northern Cyprus to conduct patrols and air defence missions over the eastern Mediterranean.
Turkish officials warned that the country would take all necessary steps to protect its airspace and urged Iran to avoid further provocations. However, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has denied that the missiles were launched from Iran, telling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the projectiles were not of Iranian origin. Tehran has said it will investigate the incidents while reiterating respect for Turkey’s sovereignty.
The interceptions mark a rare instance of NATO directly countering ballistic missiles in a volatile regional context. Analysts say the events could either deter further launches by demonstrating NATO’s defensive capabilities or risk escalating tensions if Iran perceives the actions as hostile.
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