NATO air defence systems on 5 March 2026 intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched from Iran, which had flown over Iraq and Syria before being shot down ahead of entering Turkish airspace. Fragments fell in the border region with Syria in southern Turkey, with no reported casualties.

A Turkish official stated that Ankara believes the missile was in fact aimed at the British military base in Cyprus, but deviated from its course before being intercepted. Iran denies the launch and claims Turkey is a "friendly country".

Ankara's reaction was sharp – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador, and Minister Hakan Fidan personally sent a protest note to Tehran demanding it "avoid any step that could lead to an escalation of the conflict".

President Erdogan stated that Turkey "leaves nothing to chance" when it comes to the security of its border and airspace, and that it will respond "decisively and without hesitation" to further hostile actions.

NATO fully backed Turkey. Spokesperson Alison Hart condemned Iran's "reckless attacks" in the region and confirmed the Alliance's "firm" defensive posture. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally contacted Fidan and stated that attacks on Turkish sovereign territory are "unacceptable".

Analysts note that Ankara's position is delicate – Erdogan had previously condemned the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, while Fidan criticised Iranian countermeasures in the Gulf. Should Iran intentionally target Turkish territory, analysts warn that Ankara will consider a "direct response of its own".