A ballistic missile fired from Iran and which entered Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO defense systems in the eastern Mediterranean.
According to the Turkish Defense Ministry, parts of the missile fell in open terrain in the Turkish province of Gaziantep. No one was reported to be injured.
The ministry added that the country attaches great importance to good neighborly relations and regional stability.
At the same time, Ankara said it would respond decisively to any threats directed against its territory or airspace.
“We remind everyone that it is in their interest to heed Turkey’s warnings on this matter,” the ministry said in a statement.
The impact site was about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from the US military base Incirlik in Adana province, where hundreds of Americans are stationed, and the US is believed to store nuclear weapons, Bloomberg reported. A key NATO facility is also located in the area.
On March 4, NATO units shot down an Iranian missile launched towards Turkey. However, the intended final destination of the missiles remains unclear.
Fragments from the destroyed missile fell in the Dörtyol district of Hatay province. Turkey’s Defense Ministry confirmed they came from an air defense interception and said no casualties were reported.
Following the incident, Ankara warned Tehran against actions that could further escalate tensions in the region.
Turkish 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,” according to a ministry source cited by AFP.
The incident comes amid a sharp escalation involving Iran, Israel and the United States.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the US announced coordinated strikes against Iran under the operation names “Roar of the Lion” and “Epic Fury.” Explosions were reported in Tehran and other major cities.
The Israel Defense Forces later said Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed in a strike on his residence. Iranian state media also reported the deaths of Mohammad Pakpour, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and senior security official Ali Shamkhani.
In response, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel and targeted US military bases across the Gulf, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Explosions were reported in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.
Within days, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon attacked Israel in support of Iran, to which Israel responded with massive strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
The White House said 49 senior Iranian regime figures were killed during Operation Epic Fury.