President Pezeshkian Denies Iranian Responsibility for Ballistic Missiles Intercepted Within Turkish Airspace Following NATO Response

President Pezeshkian denies Iranian origin of missiles shot down over Turkey during a tense phone call with Erdogan, pledging a full investigation into the incidents.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 4:38 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Novinite

High Level Diplomacy Amid Rising Regional Tensions

The diplomatic rift between Ankara and Tehran reached a critical point today as President Masoud Pezeshkian initiated a phone call to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to disavow any role in the recent missile launches. This direct communication followed a series of alarming reports from the Turkish Defense Ministry regarding projectiles entering the nation's sovereign territory. According to an official statement from Turkey's Presidential Communications Directorate, Pezeshkian insisted that the weaponry was not of Iranian origin, despite initial NATO and Turkish intelligence assessments suggesting otherwise. The call was described as an effort to mitigate a rapidly deteriorating security situation on Turkey's southeastern border.

Chronology of the Ballistic Missile Incursions

The controversy involves two distinct military incidents that have activated NATO’s regional defense posture. On March 4, Turkish defense assets intercepted a ballistic missile that had reportedly crossed through Iraqi and Syrian airspace before being neutralized over the Eastern Mediterranean. A second, similar incident occurred on March 9, when NATO air and missile defense systems downed another projectile identified as a ballistic threat. These consecutive violations of Turkish airspace have brought the broader regional conflict directly to the doorstep of a NATO member, forcing Ankara to issue stern warnings to its neighbors regarding the sanctity of its borders.

Erdogan Maintains a Firm Stance on National Sovereignty

During the exchange, President Erdoğan was reportedly uncompromising regarding the security of Turkish territory. While the Turkish leader has historically voiced opposition to foreign military intervention within Iran, citing violations of international law, he made it clear that the launch of missiles toward "friendly and brotherly nations" is an unacceptable escalation. According to the presidency, Erdoğan told Pezeshkian that this pattern of behavior serves no regional interests and must cease immediately. The Turkish President emphasized that his administration remains negatively affected by conflicts to which it is not a primary party, signaling a thinning of patience in Ankara.