On Friday, March 13, 2026, the Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that NATO air and missile defense forces had shot down a third Iranian ballistic missile that had entered Turkish airspace. The two previous incidents occurred on March 9 and March 3.
Iranian Emad medium-range ballistic missile / Photo: Ministry of Defense and Logistics of Iran
A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.
All necessary measures are being taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country’s territory and airspace. Consultations are being conducted with the relevant country to clarify all aspects of the incident.
All developments in the region are being closely monitored and assessed with national security as the foremost priority.
Turkish Ministry Of National Defence
According to media reports, as in the previous cases, no casualties or damage were recorded. The missile debris fell in a field in Diyarbakır Province, and military units and emergency services are searching the area. Air raid sirens were activated, among others in Adana, near the key NATO air base in Incirlik – some analysts suggest that this may once again have been the intended target of the attack. Turkey has demanded explanations from Tehran.
The previous interceptions were carried out by the U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79), an Arleigh Burke Flight IIA–class vessel, using Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) interceptor missiles.
Etkisiz hâle getirilen balistik mühimmat ile ilgili açıklama.
Statement on the neutralized ballistic munition.#MillîSavunmaBakanlığı pic.twitter.com/j6WdF7xqxq
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) March 13, 2026