Another missile launched from Iran has been destroyed, Turkish media reported.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced that a ballistic missile launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense elements located in the Eastern Mediterranean, Haberler.com reported.
This is the third Iranian ballistic missile shot down over Turkey since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran. Tehran has been attacking US military bases in the Middle East, but has so far denied attacking Turkey.
The statement, quoted by Turkish media, stressed that all necessary measures are being taken decisively and without hesitation against any threats aimed at Turkey's territory and airspace. “Talks are underway with the relevant country to clarify the incident in all its aspects”, the text also states.
On March 4, a ballistic missile launched by Iran, which was detected heading towards Turkish airspace after passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace, was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean. Fragments of the missile fell in an empty field in Hatay.
On March 9, another ballistic missile launched by Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralized by elements of NATO air and missile defense deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean. Some fragments of the missile fell in empty fields near Gaziantep, Turkish media reported.
Iran's unprovoked attacks on Cyprus and Turkey are causing serious concern, Acting Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov told journalists yesterday. He and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias, who is visiting Bulgaria, made a joint statement after their meeting. Dendias is in Bulgaria at the invitation of Zapryanov. I am very grateful to Minister Dendias that my request for Greece to help strengthen the security of Bulgaria's airspace found a very quick response, Zapryanov said, thanking the Greek government as well.