Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone call Monday with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss recent regional developments, including the interception of another missile heading to Türkiye.

Erdoğan told Pezeshkian that the violation of Türkiye’s airspace “cannot be excused for any reason whatsoever” and that “Türkiye will continue to take all necessary measures against this,” Türkiye’s Communications Directorate said in a statement.

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

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

Ankara does not approve of the “unlawful interventions” against Iran and Iran’s targeting of countries in the region, Erdoğan stressed, adding that targeting brotherly countries “is not in anyone’s interest” and “these actions must end.”

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

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

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US is “investigating” the attack, while Israel has denied involvement.

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

Erdoğan also reiterated his condolences for the passing of 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.

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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday said regarding the munitions fired from Iran that entered Turkish airspace: “Despite our warnings, wrong and provocative steps that will strain Türkiye’s friendship with Iran continue to be taken. No one should enter into a course of action that would cast a shadow over our thousand-year-old law of neighborhood and brotherhood and leave deep wounds in the hearts and minds of our nation.”

HERE ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN’S REMARKS:

“At our meeting, we discussed many issues, especially the Iran crisis. We analyzed all scenarios in a multidimensional way, including the possibility of the conflict dragging on and spreading. As the government, we have been on alert with all our institutions since February 28. With our experienced teams, we are following all developments closely. We are not letting our guard down. Our goal is to keep our country away from this fire. The peace and security of our 86 million citizens is our highest priority.

Despite those pouring fuel on the fire, we are carrying water to it and striving to extinguish it before it grows any further, if possible. In the midst of all this effort, we are watching with astonishment the statements of the person leading the main opposition. At a time when missiles are flying through the skies, I leave this individual—who is still chasing polemics and trying to score political points—to the good judgment of our noble nation. Even if he is the chairman of Türkiye’s main opposition party, it is burdensome for us to have to engage with him on this issue. Out of respect for our nation, we sometimes have to respond.

The main opposition has no tangible foreign policy vision. Diplomacy is already absent. What is there instead? Only prejudice regarding the Islamic world. They cannot put forward a sound foreign policy approach centered on Türkiye’s interests. This is an unhealthy attitude. Many countries speak highly of the policy Türkiye is pursuing, and whether our people voted for us or not, everybody is praying for us. Yet the opposition and the main opposition go so far as to accuse the Republic of Türkiye of being in a pitiful state. Such irresponsibility is unacceptable.

Neither our state nor our government is in any way in a state of weakness. Türkiye is strong in every field. It has the capacity to repel any kind of attack. There is only one mechanism that is truly in a pitiful state, and that is them. The attitude of ‘If we are not in power, then we are not responsible’ is not only wrong but also selfish. As a president entrusted with the responsibility of 86 million people, I call on them despite their poor track record: this is not a day for provocation. This is a day to act responsibly and with common sense. Stop political opportunism, and in this sensitive period, try practicing politics centered on Ankara. If you do not support our government, then at least do not hinder it.

Just as it did in the Russia-Ukraine war, just as it did in the Syrian conflict, and just as it did in Israel’s massacres in Gaza, Türkiye stands for peace and stability in the Iran crisis as well. We have been engaged in intensive diplomatic traffic from the very first day. So far, we have spoken with 16 leaders. Our Foreign Minister has made more than 50 phone calls. All our responsible officials are in constant contact with their counterparts. Our ministers are closely monitoring issues related to their respective areas of responsibility. We are leaving nothing to chance. We are also taking the necessary measures to keep the economic effects of the crisis to a minimum.”

Türkiye announced Monday that six fighter jets and air defense systems have been deployed to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as part of efforts to strengthen the territory’s security amid regional tensions.

In a statement, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said: “As part of the phased approach to enhancing the security of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in light of recent developments in our region, six F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft and air defense systems have been deployed to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus as of today.”

The statement added that Ankara could take further steps depending on how the situation evolves.

“Additional measures will continue to be taken based on further developments, if deemed necessary,” it said.

The announcement came amid escalating tensions due to the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

On Wednesday, Greek F-16V fighter jets landed at Paphos Airport in Greek Cyprus following recent Iranian attacks linked to the regional escalation.

In Kocaeli, an aircraft that had completed its flight life has been transformed into a science center, becoming a new destination for aviation enthusiasts. Visitors are introduced to aviation history, the scientific principles of flight, and aircraft systems, while also experiencing pilot simulations.

The Metropolitan Municipality converted an Airbus A340 into a science center approximately 3.5 months ago.

Opened in the Çayırova district, the “Aircraft Park Aviation Science Center” takes visitors on a journey through aviation history, flight science, and system technologies.

The 470-square-meter facility consists of an exhibition area and workshop sections. Since its opening, it has welcomed 115,000 visitors. Guests can learn aviation theory, examine aircraft systems, and experience pilot simulation.

The exhibition area beneath the aircraft features a sectional turbofan engine, static jet engine, auxiliary power unit (APU), six-cylinder interactive boxer engine, nine-cylinder radial engine section, mini jet engine, aircraft system experiment areas, real aircraft antennas, and avionics display systems.

FLIGHT TRAINING OFFERED

Guide İbrahim Yılmaz said the center hosts aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

The cockpit section is available by appointment for aviation students and graduates, where flight training is provided free of charge by the municipality.

Cockpit instructor Hamza Kalkan said students of aviation, aeronautical engineering, and pilot training programs receive detailed instruction on cockpit panels and controls, followed by takeoff and landing simulation scenarios.