Turkey said on Monday that NATO air defences shot down a second Iranian ballistic missile that had entered its airspace and warned that it would move against any such threats, which increasingly pose a test for Ankara and the alliance,
Reuters reports.
The incident in southern Turkey marks the second intercepted missile from Iran in the last week. Turkey, NATO's second-largest army and Iran's neighbour, had warned Tehran on Saturday against attacking again, but it has not suggested it wants to formally call on bloc members for further protection.
A NATO spokesperson confirmed that the alliance had intercepted a missile heading to Turkey, and that it stood firm in its readiness to defend allies.
Unlike last week's incoming missile, which was downed outside Turkey, the latest missile entered Turkish airspace. Its fragments fell in a region sitting between a critical airbase to the west and radar base to the east, both of which are used by the United States and NATO.
"We once again emphasise that all necessary measures will be taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country's territory and airspace," the Turkish Defence Ministry said, adding there had been no casualties in the incident.
"We also reiterate that it is in everyone's interest to heed Turkey's warnings in this regard," it said.
