Turkey Sees Third Missile Downed, Calls on Iran for Answers

NATO’s air defences in the eastern Mediterranean shot down a third ballistic missile that was launched from Iran toward Turkey. The Turkish Defence Ministry announced the interception and said it is asking Tehran to explain what happened. Earlier this month, NATO intercepted two other Iranian missiles that were heading toward Turkey. The first was brought down before it entered Turkish airspace, while the second made it inside the country’s borders. These events test Turkey’s role in NATO. Ankara is the alliance’s second‑largest army and sits next to Iran. The ministry warned Tehran against further attacks and has protested each time, but it has not asked other NATO members to step in.Turkey said it is taking all necessary measures quickly and decisively against any threat to its land or airspace. It also said it is talking with the relevant country to clarify every detail of the incidents. Iran has not yet responded. It has repeatedly denied that it is deliberately targeting Turkey, especially as it faces conflict with the United States and Israel. After the incidents, NATO increased its missile‑defence presence in the area. A U. S. Patriot system was moved to Malatya, a southeastern Turkish province, to strengthen the Kurecik radar base used by the alliance.