NATO shoots down Iranian missile en route in direction of Turkish airspace

[ad_1] A ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading in direction of Turkish airspace through Iraq and Syria was destroyed by NATO air defence techniques, Turkish officers mentioned Wednesday.

The defence ministry mentioned it had been "engaged and neutralised by NATO air-and-missile defence belongings deployed within the japanese Mediterranean".

It didn't specify the missile's supposed goal.

A Turkish official, talking to AFP on situation of anonymity, mentioned the missile had been "aimed toward a base in Greek Cyprus however veered astray".

Officers mentioned fragments that fell within the Dortyol district in southern Turkey, close to the Syrian border, had been recognized as items of the interceptor used to neutralise "the risk within the air".

No casualties had been reported.

The incident drew condemnation from NATO.

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"NATO stands firmly with all allies, together with Turkiye, as Iran continues its indiscriminate assaults throughout the area," NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart mentioned, utilizing Turkey's official identify.

"Our deterrence and defence posture stays robust throughout all domains, together with on the subject of air and missile defence."

Ankara summoned Iranian ambassador to convey "our response and considerations" over the incident whereas International Minister Hakan Fidan warned Tehran towards steps that would widen the battle, a diplomatic supply mentioned.

Fidan informed his Iranian counterpart in a telephone name that "any steps that would result in the unfold of battle ought to be averted", the supply added.

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'Improper technique' Turkey, a majority Sunni Muslim NATO member, shares a 500-kilometre (315-mile) border with Iran.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who maintains good relations with US President Donald Trump regardless of his frequent criticism of Israel, has insisted that the US-Israeli strikes on Saturday – which sparked the battle and prompted Tehran's retaliation – had been "unlawful".

In an interview late Tuesday, International Minister Hakan Fidan additionally criticised Iran's indiscriminate retaliatory strikes throughout Gulf states, calling them the "incorrect technique".

"The underlying technique appears to be: 'If I'm going to sink, I'll take the area down with me'," Fidan added.

Analysts say the trajectory of the Iranian missile and its destruction by NATO techniques additional raises the stakes for a widening regional battle, even when there is no such thing as a clear proof Iran supposed to strike Turkey.

"Turkey is not going to need to change into embroiled within the US-Israel assault on Iran, which it has criticised, but when Iran launches extra missiles clearly aimed toward targets on Turkish territory, Ankara will contemplate its personal direct retaliation," mentioned Hamish Kinnear of risk-intelligence agency Verisk Maplecroft.