On Monday, March 9, 2026, the Turkish Ministry of Defense reported a second incident involving an Iranian ballistic missile (on March 4, a missile heading toward İncirlik Air Base was shot down). This time, the airspace of the NATO member state was violated, and the missile was intercepted and destroyed by NATO air and missile defense forces deployed in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.
Iranian Emad medium-range ballistic missile / Photo: Ministry of Defense and Logistics of Iran
As reported, some fragments of the missile fell in uninhabited areas in Gaziantep Province, near the border with Syria. There were no casualties or injuries in the incident.
“Türkiye attaches great importance to good neighborly relations and regional stability. However, we once again emphasize that all necessary steps will be taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country’s territory and airspace. We remind all parties that heeding Türkiye’s warnings in this regard is in everyone’s interest.” the statement warned.
Earlier the same day, authorities in Ankara announced the deployment of six F-16 multirole aircraft to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, inhabited by Turks (this is the northern part of the island, while the southern part is the Republic of Cyprus, inhabited by Greeks — ed.).
Finally, it is worth noting that during last Wednesday’s incident, the Iranian ballistic missile was shot down by a U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer using a Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) interceptor. Today, the situation likely repeated itself.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran categorically denied carrying out attacks on Turkey, Cyprus, and Azerbaijan. However, it should be noted that despite apologies and declarations to cease attacks on neighbors in the Persian Gulf, made by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Saturday morning, further attacks took place later the same day.
Türk Hava Sahasında Etkisiz Hâle Getirilen Balistik Füze ile İlgili Açıklama
Statement on the Ballistic Missile Neutralized in Turkish Airspace#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/im7LFpVOl7
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) March 9, 2026
Kardeşimiz için geldik! 🇹🇷#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı#KuzeyKıbrısTürkCumhuriyeti#KıbrısTürkü#GününFotoğrafı 📸 pic.twitter.com/qEZMCnff7I
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) March 9, 2026
KKTC’ye Konuşlandırılan F-16’lar ve Hava Savunma Sistemleri Hakkında Açıklama
Statement Regarding F-16s and Air Defence Systems Deployed to the TRNC#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/ahMqqaGjQQ
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) March 9, 2026