Was the Iranian missile, shot down by NATO air defense systems, intentionally aimed at Turkey or did it deviate by accident, and are efforts being made to drag Turkey into the conflict in the Middle East? Experts, analysts and journalists are pondering these questions today, after the Turkish Ministry of Defense reported on the incident yesterday, which provoked a sharp reaction from Ankara, BTA reports.
"Danger is at the door", reads the headline on the topic in the "Cumhuriyet" newspaper.
In a summary of the events, this and other Turkish newspapers reported on Ankara's warnings against the escalation of the war. The Turkish Defense Ministry said it reserved the right to respond to any hostile actions against the country, and the parties to the conflict were warned to refrain from steps that could lead to the escalation of clashes. The Iranian ambassador was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry to convey Turkey's concerns and anxieties. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called his Iranian counterpart after the downed missile incident, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey "will not leave it to chance in these difficult days" and warned that the incident should not be repeated. He also highlighted the need to constantly strengthen Turkey's deterrent capacity "if we want to live in these lands," Hurriyet reported.
Türkiye newspaper cites security sources who described the downed Iranian missile as a "threat to Turkey's national security". At the same time, they reassure that Turkey is prepared for any possible scenario thanks to its military capacity and crisis management capabilities.
"For Turkey, the problem is not about a single missile fragment (such as the one that fell harmlessly on Turkish territory in yesterday's incident, ed.), but about border security, regional stability and deterrence. Turkey is prepared for any scenario with its military capacity, intelligence capabilities and crisis management capabilities. No threat to our national security will go unanswered. Turkey's priority is to protect national security," quotes "Türkiye" conclusions drawn.
In a statement tonight, the Iranian armed forces denied having fired a missile at Turkish territory, and an unnamed Turkish official told AFP yesterday that the missile's real target was Cyprus, but it malfunctioned and headed for Turkey.
However, the Turkish newspaper "Karar" cited a report by the "Wall Street Journal" in which US and regional officials claimed that the Iranian ballistic missile, destroyed near the Turkish province of Hatay, did not deviate from its course by mistake, but was aimed directly at the strategic "Incirlik" air base in Adana, where US troops are stationed. According to the publication, the key Turkish military base, which houses American forces and has long been one of the most important logistical and operational centers of the US Air Force in the Middle East, is viewed by Iran as a "legitimate target", writes "Karar".
"Is Turkey being pushed into war" - this question is posed by the Turkish newspaper "Yeni Mesaj", while another Turkish print publication, "Yeni Akit", draws attention to the fact that yesterday's events are taking place against the backdrop of "manipulative content that is being spread on social networks in order to provoke Sunnis and fuel hatred towards Shiites".
According to experts, the risks of Iranian missiles deviating from their route "could involve unexpected participants (such as Turkey) in the current conflict and prompt NATO to take a more active role".
The opinion that there are attempts to involve Turkey in the war is also expressed by experts in a publication by "Yeni Akit" entitled "It smells like provocation". Among them is foreign policy analyst Murat Akan, who believes that the US and Israel are trying to "reshape and divide the region, to plunder the wealth of the Islamic world", and that certain circles are currently active who wish to "involve Turkey in this dirty war and divide the country along ethnic and sectarian lines".