NATO defenses shoot down ballistic missile in Turkey

NATO defenses intercepted an Iranian missile on Monday that entered Turkey’s airspace, the country’s defense ministry said.

The interception is the second of a Turkey-bound missile since the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. In retaliation, Iran has fired missiles and drones at several countries across the region .

The ballistic missile was downed by NATO units stationed in the eastern Mediterranean, a Turkey Defense Ministry statement said.

The ministry said debris from the downed Iranian missile fell on empty fields in Gaziantep province in southern Turkey. There was no damage or casualties.

The ministry stressed that while Turkey values peaceful relations and stability in the region, it would not hesitate to act if its land or airspace is threatened.

“We once again emphasize that all necessary steps will be taken firmly and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country’s territory or airspace,” the statement read. “We remind everyone that complying with Turkey’s warnings in this regard is in everyone’s interest.”

土耳其国防部称，北约防御系统周一拦截了一枚进入土耳其领空的伊朗导弹。

这是自美国和以色列2月28日对伊朗发动军事打击以来，土耳其第二次拦截到飞往伊朗的导弹。作为报复，伊朗向该地区的多个国家发射了导弹和无人机。

土耳其国防部发表声明称，这枚弹道导弹是被驻扎在地中海东部的北约部队击落的。

土耳其国防部表示，被击落的伊朗导弹残骸落在土耳其南部加济安泰普省的空地上，没有造成人员伤亡或财产损失。

该部强调，土耳其虽然珍视该地区的和平关系和稳定，但如果其领土或领空受到威胁，土耳其将毫不犹豫地采取行动。

声明中写道：“我们再次强调，对于任何针对我国领土或领空的威胁，我们将毫不犹豫地采取一切必要措施。我们提醒所有人，遵守土耳其在这方面的警告符合所有人的利益。”