NATO shoots down Iranian missile approaching Turkish airspace, Turkey says

NATO air and missile defense systems shot down an Iranian ballistic missile headed toward Turkish airspace, Turkey’s ministry of defense said Wednesday.

The missile was detected as it traveled through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and was shot down by NATO air defenses in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, ​the ministry said. 

It fell in the Hatay province in southeastern Turkey along the country’s Mediterranean coast, according to the statement. There were no injuries or deaths. 

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a news conference Wednesday that there was no indication the incident would trigger NATO’s Article Five provision, which states an attack on one calls for a collective response from the whole alliance. 

In its statement, the Turkish ministry of defense said that while it supports regional stability and peace, it would take all necessary steps to defend its territory and citizens “regardless of who or where the threat comes from.”

The ministry said it would continue to consult NATO and other allies in ensuring conflict in the region did not spread. 

There are five U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyers currently in the eastern Mediterranean. The region also is patrolled by the multinational Standing NATO Maritime Group 2. 

NATO’s missile defense system, which involves a U.S. Aegis Ashore site in Romania and U.S Navy destroyers out of Rota, Spain, was initiated over 15 years ago and developed in phases over time with a ballistic missile threat from Iran in mind. The NATO system includes a missile defense suite in Poland and an early-warning mountaintop radar in Kurecik, Turkey.

Allison Hart, NATO spokeswoman, said the alliance remains vigilant in the wake of the strike attempt on Turkey.

“We condemn Iran’s targeting of Türkiye. NATO stands firmly with all Allies, including Türkiye, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region,” Hart said in a statement. “Our deterrence and defense posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defense.”

This story will be updated.