Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed as "completely baseless" reports that Tehran fired ballistic missiles toward Turkey, calling for a joint investigation into the incidents.
In a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on Monday, Araghchi stressed Iran's commitment to good neighborly relations and respect for Turkey's sovereignty. He warned against "false-flag operations" by regional enemies aimed at sowing discord between the two nations. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Tehran is ready for technical cooperation to examine any claims and clarify ambiguities.
NATO Intercepts Fourth Missile
Turkey's Defence Ministry announced on March 30 that NATO air and missile defence forces neutralized a ballistic munition launched from Iran after it entered Turkish airspace. This marks the fourth such interception since the broader Middle East conflict escalated.
The projectile was downed over the eastern Mediterranean by NATO systems. No damage or casualties were reported on Turkish soil in any of the incidents. NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart confirmed the successful interception, reaffirming the alliance's readiness to defend member states like Turkey.
Tensions Amid Regional War
The repeated violations have heightened concerns as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran spills over. Turkey has reinforced its air defences, including additional Patriot systems at Incirlik Air Base, and described the airspace breaches as unacceptable.
Iranian officials, including the embassy in Ankara, have consistently denied launching the missiles and proposed a joint technical team for investigation. Turkish authorities cite technical and radar data pointing to Iranian origins, creating a diplomatic rift despite ongoing dialogue between the two foreign ministers.
Calls for Restraint and Cooperation
Araghchi's latest outreach emphasizes de-escalation and joint probes to prevent misunderstandings. Turkey continues monitoring developments closely while urging calm to avoid further escalation in the volatile region.
Analysts see the incidents as risks of the wider war drawing in NATO members, with Ankara balancing its alliance commitments and ties with Tehran. Both sides have expressed willingness to investigate, though differences persist over the missile origins.