Turkish President Recep Erdogan has warned that the violation of Türkiye’s airspace “cannot be excused for any reason whatsoever.”

Mr Erdogan spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian by phone to discuss recent regional developments following the interception of another missile heading to Türkiye.

“Türkiye will continue to take all necessary measures against this,” Türkiye’s Communications Directorate quoted Mr Erdogan as saying in a statement.

The call, which was held at the request of Pezeshkian, came after the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Monday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran, which entered Turkish airspace, was neutralised by NATO air and missile defence assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Last Wednesday, the ministry said a ballistic munition fired from Iran toward Turkish airspace after crossing Syria and Iraq was intercepted and neutralised by NATO air and missile defence units in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Türkiye is “negatively affected” by conflicts in which it is not a party, Mr Erdogan also told his Iranian counterpart.

Ankara does not approve of the “unlawful interventions” against Iran and Iran’s targeting of countries in the region,  Mr Erdogan stressed.

He added that targeting brotherly countries “is not in anyone’s interest” and “these actions must end.”

Mr Erdogan stressed the need to reopen the door to diplomacy and said that Türkiye has been actively working to facilitate diplomatic engagement in the region.

During the call, he also expressed “deep sorrow” over a deadly February 28 strike on a girls’ school in Iran’s southern city of Minab.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. was “investigating” the attack, while Israel has denied involvement.

U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top security officials.

Mr Erdogan also reiterated his condolences for the passing of Mr Khamenei and expressed hope that the selection of his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as Iran’s new supreme leader would contribute to peace and stability in the region.

Responding, Mr Pezeshkian said the missiles that entered Turkish airspace were not of Iranian origin and that authorities would conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

(NAN/AA)