Iran’s first strike on alliance member? Turkey says Nato defences destroy missile heading for its airspace

Turkey said on Wednesday that Nato air and missile defence systems destroyed a ballistic missile launched from Iran that was heading toward Turkish airspace, marking the first time the expanding regional conflict has directly affected a Nato member country.According to the Turkish Defence Ministry, the missile was intercepted by Nato air and missile defence systems stationed in the eastern Mediterranean after it travelled over Syria and Iraq and approached Turkish airspace.The incident comes amid the widening confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel following the launch of Operation Epic Fury, although Turkey was not directly involved in the joint strikes carried out by Washington and Tel Aviv.

The ministry confirmed that there were no casualties or injuries."We warn all parties to refrain from actions that would lead to further escalation of conflict in the region. In this context, we will continue to consult with Nato and our other allies," the ministry said."All necessary steps to defend our territory and airspace will be taken resolutely and without hesitation. We remind all parties that we reserve the right to respond to any hostile actions against our country," it added.

Turkish authorities said debris from the air defence missile used during the interception fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay province in southeastern Turkey.Two earlier statements by senior Turkish officials about the incident did not refer to NATO's Article 4, which allows allies to consult whenever the territorial integrity, political independence or security of a member state is threatened.

Turkey criticises Iran's regional strikes

Meanwhile, Turkey also criticised Iran's expanding retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region."Iran's bombing of Arab countries without making any distinction -- Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan — all of them — is, in my opinion, an incredibly wrong strategy," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in a televised interview with state-run TRT HABER."It significantly increases the risk in the region. But from Iran's own perspective as well, it is an extremely mistaken strategy," he added.Iran has widened its military response to the conflict with the United States and Israel, targeting infrastructure in several Gulf states that are considered American allies.Oil infrastructure in Gulf countries was hit in Iranian attacks on Tuesday, prompting Qatar's state energy company to halt some production after two facilities were struck.Fidan said several Gulf countries had worked to avoid being drawn into the conflict."These countries had not harmed Iran, they had not opened their airspace to the attacking side, they had not allowed aircraft to take off from their territory," he said.Iran's response reflects how seriously Tehran now perceives the threat, he added."The underlying strategy seems to be: 'If I am going to sink, I will take the region down with me'".

Turkey warns Iran against escalation

Turkey has also warned Iran against any moves that could widen the conflict.According to a Turkish foreign ministry source, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his Iranian counterpart in a phone call that "any steps that could lead to the spread of conflict should be avoided".