Iranian Ballistic Missile Almost Reached Turkey, NATO Mobilises

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – A ballistic missile launched from Iran was intercepted and destroyed by NATO air defence systems as it neared Turkish airspace, after crossing over Iraq and Syria. The Turkish National Defence Ministry said on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

“A ballistic munition launched from Iran, which was detected traversing Iraqi and Syrian airspace and heading toward Turkish airspace, was intercepted in a timely manner by NATO air defence assets and missiles deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean and neutralised,” the ministry said, as quoted by Al Jazeera, on Thursday, 5 March 2026.

Turkish authorities said there were no casualties or injuries. Ankara underscored its right to respond to any acts of hostility, while warning all parties to refrain from broadening the escalation.

In a public address, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the government had taken all necessary preventative steps in consultation with NATO allies. “We issue a very clear warning so that a similar incident does not recur. The security of our borders and airspace is not left to chance,” he said.

On the diplomatic front, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan delivered a formal protest to his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in a phone call. Fidan emphasised that any steps potentially widening the conflict should be avoided, Reuters reported. By the time this was written, Tehran had not commented.

NATO itself condemned the targeting of Turkey. NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance “stands firmly with all Allies, including Turkey,” adding that NATO’s deterrence posture and air defence-missile capabilities remain strong.

Separately, Cyprus temporarily closed airspace over Larnaca after detecting a suspicious object in the Eastern Mediterranean. Local authorities reported earlier that an Iran-made drone caused minor damage at a British military base, while two other drones were shot down.