Erdoğan to Pezeshkian: Airspace violation 'cannot be excused' as missile intercepted

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call Monday with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss recent regional developments, including the interception of another missile fired from Iran that entered Turkish airspace. According to a statement from Türkiye's Communications Directorate, Erdoğan delivered a firm message that the violation "cannot be excused for any reason whatsoever" and that "Türkiye will continue to take all necessary measures against this."

Missile intercepted

The call came after the Turkish National Defense Ministry announced Monday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran that entered Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean. The incident marks the second such violation since the US-Israeli campaign against Iran began, following a previous interception last week.

Türkiye's position

Erdoğan told Pezeshkian that Türkiye is "negatively affected" by conflicts in which it is not a party, reflecting Ankara's concern about spillover effects from the expanding regional war. The Turkish leader stressed that Ankara does not approve of the "unlawful interventions" against Iran nor Iran's targeting of countries in the region, adding that targeting brotherly countries "is not in anyone's interest" and that "these actions must end."

Diplomatic engagement

The conversation continues Türkiye's intensive diplomatic outreach to all parties in the conflict, with Erdoğan having previously spoken with US, European and Gulf leaders. Ankara maintains communication channels with both Washington and Tehran while advocating for de-escalation and a return to dialogue as the conflict enters its second week with no signs of abating.