Turkey NATO increases missile defense readiness because of Iran
NATO is increasing the alert and operational readiness of its ballistic defense systems due to the Iranian missile attack on Turkey. The measure was ordered by the commander of the NATO Air Force Command, announced the spokesperson of the NATO military headquarters in Mons, Belgium, in the evening. He also recommended that NATO's readiness be maintained at this increased level until the threat from Iran's continuing indiscriminate attacks in the region subsides.
05.03.2026, 21:54
SDA
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces in Europe has endorsed this recommendation, added spokesman Martin L. O'Donnell. At a meeting with the representatives of the member states, strong and unanimous support for the measure was also expressed. The adjustment would allow the Alliance to defend itself in the face of the current threat.
The spokesman pointed out that defense readiness had already been demonstrated this Wednesday. "As the world saw yesterday, NATO implemented its ballistic missile defense procedures perfectly," he explained. In less than ten minutes, NATO soldiers identified the ballistic missile, confirmed its trajectory and alerted the land and sea-based missile defense systems for the successful interception maneuver.
Details are classified
When asked whether additional missile defense systems would be deployed to the region due to the situation, NATO initially provided no information. Spokesman O'Donnell said that no further details could be given for reasons of operational security.
According to NATO, Iran had caused outrage on Wednesday by firing a missile at NATO member Turkey. According to Turkish sources, the missile was intercepted in the Turkish border region. Part of the missile fell on an open area in the province of Hatay; there were no casualties. It was not initially known where the Iranian missile was supposed to hit.
Turkey is actually neutral in the war against Iran and has long sought a diplomatic solution to the conflict. However, US soldiers are also stationed in Turkey. The most important NATO airbase in the country is in Incirlik in the southern Turkish province of Adana. According to US figures, around 1,500 military personnel are stationed there. The base is considered an important military hub in the region.
