NATO air defense destroys Iranian ballistic missile over eastern Mediterranean heading toward Turkey — first NATO involvement in Iran conflict; Turkey conveys formal protest to Iran

Turkish Ministry of National Defence confirmed a ballistic missile fired from Iran, passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace, was destroyed by NATO air and missile defense assets stationed in the eastern Mediterranean before entering Turkish airspace. The missile is believed to have been aimed at RAF Akrotiri area in Greek Cyprus (already struck once) but veered off course toward Turkey. Turkey’s FM conveyed formal protest to Iranian FM Araghchi. Ankara ‘reserves the right to respond to any hostile actions.’ No casualties. This is the first time NATO air defense systems have been used in the Iran conflict, and the first time a NATO member has been directly threatened. Turkey had previously denied NATO base usage for Iran strikes. Potential Article 5 implications if the missile had struck Turkish territory.