US destroyer shoots down Iranian missile heading for Türkiye – CNN

An Iranian ballistic missile heading towards Türkiye has been shot down by a US destroyer in the Mediterranean as part of NATO air defences.

Source: CNN citing sources; European Pravda

Details: Earlier on Wednesday 4 March the Turkish Presidency Communications Director said NATO air defences had downed an Iranian missile fired towards Turkish territory.

Quote from the Turkish Presidency Communications Director: "A missile launched from Iran, passing through the airspace of Iraq and Syria, and heading toward our airspace from the Hatay region, has been destroyed by NATO air defense systems."

More details: It is believed to be the first time NATO forces have intercepted an Iranian missile heading towards the airspace of a member state since the Middle East conflict broke out last weekend.

CNN said the incident comes amid fears the conflict could spread beyond the Middle East.

One of the sources said NATO has increased its level of protection in recent years because of the war in Ukraine and will continue those efforts.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a briefing on Wednesday 4 March that he believes the incident would not trigger Article 5 of the NATO treaty under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

Background:

• The Ministry of National Defence of Türkiye said earlier on Wednesday 4 March that air defence systems had destroyed a ballistic missile launched from Iran that had been detected heading towards Turkish airspace.
• NATO condemned Iran's launch of a ballistic missile at Türkiye.

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