Turkey’s defense ministry said Thursday that it reserves the right to respond to “any hostile attitude” toward the country after a ballistic projectile fired from Iran was intercepted before entering Turkish airspace.
In an earlier statement, the ministry said the projectile was detected after passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace and was assessed to be heading toward Turkey. The ministry said air and missile defense elements deployed in the eastern Mediterranean engaged the threat and rendered it ineffective.
The ministry said there were no deaths or injuries. It said debris that fell in the Dörtyol district of Hatay province came from the air defense munition used during the intercept.
Turkey urged all parties to avoid steps that could increase the fighting in the region and said it would continue consultations with allies.
Iran denied it fired a missile toward Turkey. Iran’s armed forces said they respect Turkey’s sovereignty, according to a statement reported by Iranian state media.