Erdogan Warns Against Turkish Airspace Violations After Missile Interception

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that any violation of the country’s airspace is unacceptable under any circumstances.

Erdogan made the statement during a phone conversation with Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, as both leaders discussed recent regional developments following the interception of another missile headed toward Turkey.

“Turkish airspace cannot be violated for any reason whatsoever,” Erdogan said during the call.

“Türkiye will continue to take all necessary measures against this,” Türkiye’s Communications Directorate quoted the Turkish leader as saying in a statement.

The conversation, initiated at Pezeshkian’s request, came shortly after the Turkish National Defense Ministry announced that a ballistic missile fired from Iran which entered Turkish airspace had been intercepted and neutralised by NATO air and missile defence systems deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Authorities said a similar incident occurred last Wednesday when another ballistic munition fired from Iran toward Turkey crossed Syria and Iraq before being intercepted by NATO defence units in the region.

During the call, Erdogan also told his Iranian counterpart that Turkey was being adversely affected by conflicts in which it was not directly involved.

He stressed that Ankara does not support the “unlawful interventions” against Iran or Iran’s targeting of countries within the region.

According to him, attacks on “brotherly countries” serve no one’s interest and must stop.

Erdogan further emphasised the need to revive diplomatic efforts, noting that Turkey has been actively working to facilitate dialogue aimed at easing tensions in the region.

The Turkish leader also expressed “deep sorrow” over the February 28 strike on a girls’ school in the southern Iranian city of Minab, which resulted in multiple casualties.

Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth, the United States Department of Defense Secretary of Defense, said the U.S. was “investigating” the attack, while Israel denied any involvement.

Reports indicate that United States and Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several top security officials.

Erdogan also extended his condolences over Khamenei’s death and expressed hope that the appointment of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as Iran’s new Supreme Leader would help foster peace and stability across the region.

Responding, Pezeshkian maintained that the missiles that entered Turkish airspace were not launched by Iran, adding that Iranian authorities would carry out a thorough investigation into the incident.