A ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading toward Turkish airspace was destroyed by NATO air and missile defence systems, according to Turkey’s defence ministry. The incident marks the first time the expanding regional conflict has directly affected a NATO member country.

The Turkish defence ministry said the missile was intercepted by NATO defence systems positioned in the eastern Mediterranean. The missile had travelled across Syria and Iraq before approaching Turkish airspace, prompting the interception.

Authorities confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported following the incident. The ministry also issued a warning to all sides involved in the ongoing conflict in the region.

“We warn all parties to refrain from actions that would lead to further escalation of conflict in the region. In this context, we will continue to consult with Nato and our other allies,” the Turkish defence ministry said.

The ministry also made it clear that Turkey is prepared to defend its territory if required.

“All necessary steps to defend our territory and airspace will be taken resolutely and without hesitation. We remind all parties that we reserve the right to respond to any hostile actions against our country,” the ministry added.

Officials said debris from the air defence missile used during the interception fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay province in southeastern Turkey.

Earlier statements from senior Turkish officials about the incident did not mention NATO’s Article 4. The article allows NATO members to request consultations when they believe their territorial integrity, political independence or security is under threat.

The incident comes at a time when tensions in the Middle East are rising sharply. The wider confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel has been intensifying after the launch of Operation Epic Fury. Turkey, however, was not directly involved in the joint strikes carried out by Washington and Tel Aviv.

Alongside the missile incident, Turkey also criticised Iran’s expanding retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region. Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan spoke about the issue during a televised interview with state-run TRT HABER.

“Iran's bombing of Arab countries without making any distinction -- Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan — all of them — is, in my opinion, an incredibly wrong strategy,” Fidan said.

He further warned that such actions could increase instability in the region.

“It significantly increases the risk in the region. But from Iran's own perspective as well, it is an extremely mistaken strategy,” he added.

According to reports, Iran has widened its military response to the conflict with the United States and Israel. The country has targeted infrastructure in several Gulf states that are considered American allies.

Oil infrastructure in Gulf countries was also hit in Iranian attacks earlier this week. Following the strikes, Qatar’s state energy company halted some production after two facilities were struck.

Fidan said that several Gulf countries had tried to stay away from the conflict and had not taken action against Iran.

“These countries had not harmed Iran, they had not opened their airspace to the attacking side, they had not allowed aircraft to take off from their territory,” he said.

He also said that Iran’s actions show how seriously Tehran now views the threat in the region.

“The underlying strategy seems to be: 'If I am going to sink, I will take the region down with me'.”

Turkey has also warned Iran against taking any further steps that could widen the conflict. According to a Turkish foreign ministry source, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke to his Iranian counterpart over the phone and delivered the message directly.

During the call, Fidan said that “any steps that could lead to the spread of conflict should be avoided.”

The interception of the missile and the strong statements from Ankara highlight growing concerns that the conflict in the region could expand further and affect more countries. For Turkey, a NATO member that shares close geographic proximity to the conflict zones, the incident has raised serious security concerns.