"NATO once again intercepted a missile heading towards Turkey. We are determined to protect all alliance members from any threat," NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said on 9/3.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed on the same day that a ballistic missile launched from Iran was shot down by NATO, with debris falling into an empty field in Gaziantep province. This area is located between Incirlik military airport, a strategic US air base abroad with thousands of troops, and NATO's early warning radar station in Malatya province.

"The projectile flew into Turkish airspace before being neutralized by NATO air defense assets in the eastern Mediterranean. We will decisively take all necessary measures to counter threats targeting our territory and airspace," the agency stated, adding there were no casualties in the incident.

Missile debris fell in Turkey, shown in an image released on 9/3. Photo: AFP

This marks the second time NATO has shot down a ballistic missile launched from Iran since the Middle East conflict erupted on 28/2. However, this is the first time Turkey has accused a missile of entering its airspace, differing from the previous incident where it was intercepted outside Turkish airspace.

On 9/3, President Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkey had issued warnings to Iran following the missile launch. "They continue to take wrong and provocative steps," he said after a cabinet meeting in Ankara.

Erdogan emphasized that Turkey will continue to implement additional measures after deploying 6 F-16 fighter jets to northern Cyprus, asserting that Ankara's main goal is to "avoid the fire of conflict."

Iranian media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke by phone with his Turkish counterpart and proposed a joint investigation. Iran has repeatedly stated that it does not seek war with regional countries and does not directly target Turkey.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP, Reuters)