NATO destroyed Iranian missile headed towards Turkey airspace

NATO air defense systems shot down an Iranian missile that was traveling towards Turkey’s airspace, the Turkish Presidency Communications Director said Wednesday.

“A missile launched from Iran, passing through the airspace of Iraq and Syria, and heading toward our airspace from the Hatay region, has been destroyed by NATO air defense systems,” the director said in a statement, reports CNN.

A fragment of a preventive missile fell in an open area in southern Turkey, with no loss of life or injuries reported, it said.

This is believed to be the first time NATO forces have intercepted an Iranian missile traveling towards a member country’s airspace since the conflict in the Middle East broke out over the weekend.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called his Iranian counterpart today about the missile, a Turkish diplomatic source said.

Fidan “conveyed (Turkey’s) reaction” regarding the missile, and “stated that any steps that could lead to the spread of conflict should be avoided,” the source said.

NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart told CNN that the bloc condemns “Iran’s targeting” of Turkey.

“NATO stands firmly with all Allies, including (Turkey) as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region,” she said. “Our deterrence and defence posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defense.”