Türkiye insists it did not use the S-400 system to intercept Iranian missiles.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense confirmed that the S-400 system was not involved in intercepting missiles from Iran, and clarified the air defense coordination mechanism within the NATO network.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense officially confirmed that its military did not use the S-400 air defense missile system to intercept the two ballistic missiles launched from Iran. Instead, Ankara relied on NATO's integrated defense network to handle the intrusive targets in a short period of time.
Türkiye's missile interception mechanism
According to Zeki Aktürk, a representative of the Turkish Ministry of Defense, in real combat situations with extremely short reaction times, the air defense system will automatically calculate and select the most optimal means to destroy the target. He affirmed that the ballistic missiles from Iran were destroyed using the most appropriate and effective means currently in service.
Notably, Aktürk emphasized that Türkiye's current air defense architecture is part of a comprehensive NATO system. This system includes early warning sensors, a centralized command and control network, and closely coordinated interceptor missile units to protect its airspace.
Diplomatic controversy surrounding the S-400 missile system.
Despite possessing the advanced Russian S-400 air defense system, Türkiye's deployment of this system remains a point of contention between Ankara, Washington, and Moscow. In early December 2025, US Ambassador Tom Barrack stated that Turkey is not currently operating the S-400 systems and is likely to abandon them entirely in the near future.
Conversely, Russia maintained a firm stance on the signed agreements. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov asserted that Türkiye has legal obligations to Moscow regarding the S-400 system. He also rejected proposals from the European Union to purchase these systems from Ankara for transfer to Ukraine, affirming that the S-400 remains one of the world's leading air defense systems.
Overall, the decision not to use the S-400 in the recent incident shows that Türkiye is prioritizing compatibility with NATO standards in practical missile defense operations, even while still possessing advanced air defense technology from Russia.
