NATO air defenses shot down a missile fired from Iran, the Turkish defense ministry said. The missile was destroyed while passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace on its way toward southern Turkey, said the ministry.

Even as things continue to unfold in Iran, the stage looks set for the next chapter in the Turkish-Israeli contest.

Turkey intercepted a ballistic missile from Iran using NATO's air defenses, marking its first involvement in the growing Middle East conflict. NATO condemned Iran's actions, affirming its support for Turkey.

As the likelihood of a U.S. attack on Iran rises, Israeli leaders are increasingly focusing on Turkey as a new regional rival and threat, Turkey’s Daily Sabah wrote on Wednesday.