Philenews

“Believes it Targeted Base in Cyprus”: Turkish Official on Missile Neutralized by Ankara

Published March 4, 2026, 14:11
“Believes it Targeted Base in Cyprus”: Turkish Official on Missile Neutralized by Ankara

A Turkish official, speaking on condition of anonymity, claims that the missile neutralized by Turkey was targeting a base in Cyprus but deviated from its course. Turkey has protested to Iran over the launch of the missile, which was fired from Iran and entered Turkish airspace. The official stated that Turkey was not the initial target of the missile. The Turkish Ministry of Defense had earlier announced that NATO defenses intercepted the ballistic missile, which fell in the Dortyol area near the Mediterranean, without causing casualties. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed Turkey's protest to his Iranian counterpart, Amir-Abdollahian, during a phone call. Fidan emphasized the need to avoid any actions that could lead to an escalation of the conflict. Turkey condemned the launch of the missile and called on Iran to take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.