Medical professionals protested outside Gandhi Hospital, which was damaged in an airstrike earlier this week, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday. On Monday, NATO intercepted a second Iranian missile in Turkish airspace. Photo by UPI | License Photo
March 9 (UPI) — NATO shot down a second Iranian missile in Turkish airspace Monday, the Turkish defense ministry reported.
It was the second time in six days that a missile had been intercepted in Turkey.
No injuries were reported, and debris fell near the city of Gaziantep, Turkey, which is near the southern border with Syria.
NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said on X, “NATO stands firm in its readiness to defend all Allies against any threat.”
Turkey issued its own response.
“We once again emphasize that all necessary measures will be taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country’s territory and airspace,” the Turkish Defense Ministry said. “We also reiterate that it is in everyone’s interest to heed Turkey’s warnings in this regard.”
The U.S. Air Force has staff stationed at the Incirlik base in southern Turkey, and there is a NATO radar base in Malatya province to the northeast of the area. Gaziantep is roughly between the two, the Jerusalem Post said.
Turkey is a NATO member, unlike other targets Iran has struck so far. If Iran hits Turkey, it could pull in all other NATO nations. Iran has said in the past that it is not targeting Turkey.
