ISTANBUL, Turkiye: NATO air defence systems intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading towards Turkish airspace, Turkiye’s defence ministry said on Wednesday, as regional tensions deepened following the US and Israeli strikes on Tehran.
“A ballistic munition launched from Iran, which was detected passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and heading towards Turkish airspace, was engaged in a timely manner by NATO air and missile defence assets stationed in the eastern Mediterranean and rendered inactive,” Turkiye’s Ministry of National Defence said in a statement.
Türkiye says NATO air defense intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkish airspace, debris from interceptor fell in Hatay's Dortyol district https://t.co/pqmjXjSsF4
— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) March 4, 2026
The ministry said there were no casualties or injuries.
It added that debris from the interceptor munition fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay province after the threat was destroyed in the air.
The fragment was identified as belonging to the air defence system that intercepted the missile, not the incoming projectile.
“Every step necessary for the defence of our territory and airspace will be taken with determination and without hesitation,” the ministry said.
“We remind all parties that our right to respond to any hostile act against our country is reserved.”
🔴#LATEST — “Our determination and capability to protect our country’s security are at the highest level. Every necessary step to defend our territory and airspace will be taken without hesitation,” says Turkish Communications Director pic.twitter.com/TbYqZMVWuc
— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) March 4, 2026
Warning to avoid wider conflict
Ankara warned against further escalation in the region.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his Iranian counterpart in a phone call that “any steps that could lead to the spread of conflict should be avoided,” a Turkish foreign ministry source said.
Video shows moment crews remove missile fragment from ballistic missile Iran fired toward Turkish airspace after #NATO defenses destroyed it pic.twitter.com/cz2N8RuwUY
— Türkiye Today (@turkiyetodaycom) March 4, 2026
The defence ministry said Turkiye remained committed to regional stability and peace and would continue consultations with NATO and other allies.
Etkisiz Hâle Getirilen Balistik Mühimmat ile İlgili Açıklama#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/F59bAU7AhW
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) March 4, 2026
The interception came days after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, while negotiations between Tehran and Washington were still underway.
The strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous senior officials, according to earlier reports.
Incirlik base and NATO presence
The incident has drawn attention to Turkiye’s strategic position within NATO.
Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkiye is used by foreign military forces, primarily the United States and other NATO allies.
The base is under the control of the Turkish Air Force but operates as a joint Turkish-US facility.
The United States has more than 1,000 military personnel stationed at Incirlik, according to media reports.
The base served as a key logistics and air support hub during the 1991 Gulf War and later as a cargo centre for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
It was also heavily used for strikes against Islamic State militants from 2014.
Turkiye denied Washington permission to use the base for the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.
UAE intercepts missiles and drones
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems had intercepted three ballistic missiles on Wednesday and detected 129 drones, of which 121 were destroyed.
Eight drones fell within the country’s territory.
UAE air defences intercept 3 ballistic missiles, 129 drones
The Ministry of Defence announced that UAE air defence systems successfully intercepted three ballistic missiles today, 4th March 2026, and detected 129 drones, of which 121 were intercepted while eight fell within the… pic.twitter.com/oPvFZqZagn
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 4, 2026
The UAE Ministry of Defence said that since what it described as “blatant Iranian aggression” began, 189 ballistic missiles had been detected heading towards the country.
Of those, 175 were destroyed, 13 fell into the sea and one landed within the UAE.
A total of 941 Iranian drones were detected, with 876 intercepted and 65 falling inside the country. The ministry also said eight cruise missiles had been detected and destroyed.
