ANKARA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday evening that his country will not get dragged into the war triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, following the interception of a third ballistic missile that entered Turkish airspace.
Erdogan said in Istanbul that Türkiye proceeds with "great caution in face of plots, traps, provocations aimed at dragging our country into war."
"Keeping our country away from this fire pit is our top priority," he said, adding Türkiye "is taking necessary measures against all threats violating its airspace."
His remarks came after a third ballistic missile that entered Turkish airspace was intercepted by NATO.
"A ballistic munition fired from Iran and entering Turkish airspace has been neutralized by NATO air and missile defense elements deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean," Türkiye's Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Sirens were heard Friday morning at Türkiye's Incirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported. Videos circulating on social media also appeared to show the arrival of a missile followed by the sound of an explosion.
The ministry said the latest incident marks the third intercepted ballistic munition launched "from Iran" toward Türkiye in recent days, amid rising regional tensions.
In response, Iranian Ambassador in Ankara Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh said Friday that the latest incident was "a question mark for us too," suggesting it was carried out by "third elements whose efforts are to harm the friendly and brotherly relations between the two countries."
On Tuesday, the Turkish Defense Ministry said a Patriot air defense system assigned by NATO to support Türkiye's airspace had been deployed in the eastern province of Malatya and was being prepared for operational readiness. Enditem
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