Fidan tells Iran airspace violation 'unacceptable,' Tehran denies involvement

2026-03-10 - 11:02

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan delivered a firm diplomatic message to Tehran on Tuesday during a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to diplomatic sources. Fidan explicitly stated that the "violation of Turkish airspace is unacceptable" and underscored that Türkiye "will continue taking all necessary measures against it" as the country asserts its sovereign rights. Ankara demands restraint to protect civilians Beyond addressing the specific violation, Fidan used the call to emphasize that all parties to the broader regional conflict should refrain from actions that could undermine regional security or pose risks to civilians. The warning reflects Ankara's growing concern that the expanding war between US-Israeli forces and Iran could increasingly threaten neighboring states and civilian populations, drawing more countries into the confrontation. Tehran denies responsibility, pledges probe Araghchi responded to Fidan's protest by asserting that the missiles directed toward Turkish airspace "did not originate from Iran," according to the diplomatic sources. The Iranian foreign minister confirmed that a thorough investigation of the incident would be carried out, though he did not offer alternative explanations for the projectile's origin. The denial stands in contrast to the Turkish National Defense Ministry's statement Monday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran into Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean. Missile debris lands in Gaziantep The Turkish Defense Ministry confirmed that debris from the intercepted missile fell onto vacant land in the southeastern Gaziantep province, with no casualties or injuries reported. The incident marks a dangerous expansion of the conflict's geographic reach, bringing the war directly to Türkiye's border and prompting the highest-level diplomatic protest from Ankara. The exchange between Fidan and Araghchi reflects the delicate balance Türkiye maintains as it seeks to protect its territory while preserving channels of communication with Tehran amid the escalating regional crisis.