Nato air defences have intercepted 3rd ballistic missile over Turkiye, says Ankara

ISTANBUL: Nato air defences on Friday intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iran over Turkiye, the defence ministry said. It marked the third such incident since the start of the Iran war.

Iran's embassy in Ankara immediately denied any involvement, saying "no projectile" had been fired towards Turkiye, but experts said it was unlikely. Residents in the southern city of Adana reported hearing a loud explosion and sirens sounding at Incirlik Air Base, which is used by US forces, in the early hours of Friday. No casualties were reported. Just hours before the third missile was intercepted, Turkiye's transport minister said a Turkish-owned ship had crossed the Strait of Hormuz with Iran's permission, without giving any other details.