Turkey Says Iran Denies Responsibility for Missile Launches

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday that Iran is denying responsibility for firing ballistic missiles toward Turkey, despite technical evidence suggesting otherwise.

Speaking after intercepts of a third Iranian missile in nine days, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he had discussed the issue with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.

“Once again, they are not taking responsibility for this incident. They claim they did not order any such attack, nor are they linked to it,” Fidan said.

Turkey Says Iran Denies Responsibility for Missile Launches. Credit: AOL.

“Of course, there is technical data available, and we are discussing the discrepancy between their statements and the reality with them,” he added.

Fidan warned that Turkey would resist all provocations, stressing that the nation’s deterrence capabilities are extremely strong, and noting, “We always know exactly where and when to use our strength.”

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) had previously shot down missiles from Iran on March 4 and March 9, both of which Tehran denied involvement in.

United States troops are stationed at Turkey’s Incirlik and Kurecik bases, key NATO facilities that monitor potential Iranian missile activity.