Turkiye says Iranian ballistic missile intercepted by NATO air defences

On March 9, 2026, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence reported that NATO air defenses intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile over the Sahinbey district of Gaziantep in southern Turkiye. The incident, which occurred on Monday, resulted in no casualties or damage. This marks the second time an Iranian ballistic missile has been fired towards Turkiye since the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. Turkiye urged all parties, especially Tehran, to avoid actions that could endanger civilians or destabilize the region. A NATO spokesperson confirmed the interception and reiterated the alliance's commitment to defending its allies. Iran has not yet commented on the incident.

On Monday, March 9, 2026, NATO intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran towards Turkey, marking the second such interception in a week. The missile debris landed in Gaziantep province, southern Turkey, approximately 150km from Incirlik Air Base, which houses US military personnel and is believed to store US nuclear weapons. The interception follows a similar incident on March 4, prompting NATO to strengthen its regional missile defense. The event raises concerns about NATO being drawn further into the Middle East conflict, especially as Ankara has prohibited the use of its bases for strikes against Iran. Turkey is now likely facing increased pressure to respond more forcefully to Iran's actions.