Iran has denied launching missiles toward Turkey, saying its armed forces respect the sovereignty of the neighboring country and did not target Turkish territory.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, Iran’s military said it “respects the sovereignty of its neighboring and friendly country Turkey” and rejected claims that it fired a missile toward Turkish airspace.
The denial came after Turkey’s Defense Ministry said NATO air-defense systems intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran that was heading toward Turkish airspace after passing through Iraq and Syria.
Turkish officials said the incident caused no casualties or damage.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Turkish counterpart that Iran’s strikes were aimed only at U.S. and Israeli military installations involved in operations against Iran, not at Turkish territory.
Turkey warned Iran against actions that could broaden the conflict as regional tensions continue to rise following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.