Turkiye says Iranian ballistic missile was intercepted by NATO air defenses | War between the United States and Israel against Iran News

The Ministry of National Defense says there were no casualties or damage after a missile was fired over the southern city of Gaziantep.

Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense says NATO air defenses have intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran toward Turkiye as concerns grow that the US-Israel war against Iran will escalate.

The missile was intercepted on Monday over Gaziantep’s Sahinbey district, south of Turkiye, the ministry said in a statement. No casualties or damage were reported.

“Ankara emphasized its capability and determination to protect national airspace and border security, while warning that further escalation in the region must be avoided,” the statement said.

The ministry also urged all parties, especially Tehran, “to refrain from actions that could endanger civilians or undermine regional stability.”

Monday’s incident was the second time an Iranian ballistic missile was fired toward Turkiye since the United States and Israel launched war against Iran on Feb. 28, according to local authorities.

The US-Israeli attacks have sparked a wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks across the region, including targets in Arab Gulf countries.

Iran did not immediately comment on the Turkish ministry’s statement.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed that the military alliance had intercepted “a missile headed for Turkiye.” “NATO remains steadfast in its readiness to defend all allies against any threat,” Hart said in a post on X.

Iran denied firing a ballistic missile toward Turkiye on Wednesday after Turkish authorities said NATO air defenses shot down a projectile over the eastern Mediterranean.

NATO condemned that launch and expressed its “full solidarity” with Turkiye.

“This is a tangible demonstration of the Alliance’s ability to defend our populations against all threats, including those posed by ballistic missiles,” NATO said of the interception.

Article 5 of the alliance’s North Atlantic Treaty says that an attack on one NATO country will be considered an attack on all. It also commits each NATO member state to take such measures as it deems necessary “to restore and maintain” security.

In an interview with Reuters news agency last week after the first ballistic missile heading towards Turkiye was shot down, NATO chief Mark Rutte said there was no talk of invoking Article 5.

Iranian authorities have said they are firing on US military bases and other targets linked to the United States and Israel across the region in self-defense, but civilian infrastructure has also been attacked.

“Iran’s targets are not just US bases; in fact, they are primarily large-scale infrastructure and also civilian targets,” said Rob Geist Pinfold, professor of defense studies at King’s College London.

“This is not a mistake. This is intentional,” Pinfold told Al Jazeera, explaining that Tehran is trying to “unleash as much chaos as possible to destabilize the region and global markets” in an effort to force Washington to abandon the war.

“We have seen that Iran is targeting each and every (Gulf Cooperation Council) state. It is prepared to burn its bridges with all of them to pursue this very uncertain and high-risk strategy,” he said.

“It really shows how Iran feels like they are facing an existential threat. For them, this is a real life or death moment.”