U.S. Navy Destroyer Intercepts Iranian Missile Over Turkey, NATO Says Third Interception Since March 4

Riyadh, March 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — A U.S. Navy destroyer intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile over Turkey on Friday, marking the third such interception since early March, according to U.S. and NATO officials.

A U.S. official confirmed that the guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin shot down the missile, which had been intercepted over Turkish territory. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of ongoing military operations.

Turkey’s defense ministry said NATO air and missile defense systems deployed in the eastern Mediterranean intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran toward Turkey.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart confirmed the interception, saying alliance defenses successfully neutralized the missile.

NATO air defenses had previously intercepted two Iranian ballistic missiles fired toward Turkey earlier this month, the Turkish defense ministry said.

The first missile was intercepted on March 4 before entering Turkish airspace, while a second missile fired on March 9 entered Turkish airspace before being shot down.

Following the earlier incidents, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned Iran against further provocative actions, while Tehran denied launching a missile toward Turkey.

Turkish authorities said their forces have remained on heightened alert since the start of the conflict, monitoring national airspace continuously using fighter jets and airborne early warning aircraft.