Defense NATO shoots down Iranian missile headed toward Turkey’s airspace by Ellen Mitchell - 03/04/26 11:34 AM ET by Ellen Mitchell - 03/04/26 11:34 AM ET Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email NOW PLAYING NATO air defenses shot down an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkish airspace, the country said Wednesday.  Launched from Iran, the missile passed through the airspace of Iraq and Syria before it was hit by NATO air defense systems and a fragment fell into the Dörtyol district of Hatay, according to Turkish spokesperson Burhanettin Duran. No casualties or injuries have been reported. “All institutions have monitored the process in real time and in full coordination, Duran said in a statement  posted to X . “All necessary steps to defend Turkish territory and airspace will be taken without hesitation. . . . During this process, consultations and cooperation with NATO and other Allies will continue.” It was unknown whether the missile was specifically aimed at Turkey, a NATO member state bordering Iran.  Should Turkey have been targeted, however, that would signal a significant escalation in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran that has triggered attacks on other Gulf nations by Tehran. An attack on any NATO state including Turkey could trigger the “collective defense” clause of the alliance known as Article 5, which stipulates that an armed attack against one member is considered an attack against all. Asked about the incident and whether it would trigger Article 5, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to offer any details but said that there’s “no sense” it would call up the defense pact.  “I’ll have to get back to you on exactly what the intercept looked like,” he told reporters at the Pentagon. “We’re aware of that particular engagement, although there’s no sense that it would trigger Article 5.” The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which began early on Saturday, has set off a ripple effect of attacks across the Middle East and as far as the Indian Ocean, where a U.S. submarine  sank an Iranian warship , Hegseth said Wednesday.  U.S. and Israeli strikes on Saturday killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the regime remains intact and continues to aim drones and missiles at U.S. bases, embassies and interests throughout the Middle East. An Iranian drone on Sunday hit a U.S. tactical operations center in Kuwait, killing six service members. President Trump and Hegseth have said that more deaths are likely before the end of the war.  A video verified by Reuters showed what appears to be the NATO air defense missile that struck down the Iranian missile over Turkey.  And Duran warned “all parties to refrain from steps that could escalate tensions in the region and lead to the spread of the conflict to a wider area. It is of great importance that all parties act with a sense of responsibility.” But he added that any potential hostile acts “will be responded to in accordance with international law.” Add as preferred source on Google Tags Ali Khamenei Pete Hegseth Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Share ✕ LinkedIn LinkedIn Email Email More Defense News See All Administration Live updates: Talarico prevails over Crockett in Texas; Hegseth slams media over Iran coverage by The Hill Staff 3 minutes ago Administration  /  3 minutes ago