The US has told non-essential officials and families to leave its embassy in Adana, southern Turkey, after a second Iranian ballistic missile was intercepted over Turkish airspace. This measure stops all consular services since tensions are rising in the region because of the current US-Israel-Iran confrontation.
Conflict Background
The crisis divides between the two airstrikes carried out by US and Israeli forces against Iran on February 28, 2026 during Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, which targeted an array of nuclear sites alongside military leaders and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei who died in the attacks. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes on US bases and allies throughout the Middle East, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan — and now Turkey.
Tensions have led to more than 1,200 deaths in Iran and stopped oil from flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Missile Incidents in Turkey
The first Iranian ballistic missile, after crossing Iraq and Syria, was intercepted by NATO defenses over Hatay Province on March 4, 2026; it likely had Incirlik Air Base near Adana, a critical US-NATO base location. On March 8, a second missile had been destroyed by NATO systems in the Eastern Mediterranean over Gaziantep, with debris falling in uninhabited areas and no casualties being reported.
Turkey’s Defence Ministry confirmed both interceptions, which led President Erdogan to warn against such provocations.
U.S. Response and Evacuations
On Friday, the State Department increased its travel warning for southeastern Turkey, recommending US citizens leave if they were there and ordering non-essential personnel to depart from the Adana consulate starting March 9. Evacuations also took place at embassies in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon over Iranian threats.
NATO sent more Patriot systems to Malatya, in Turkey, to strengthen defensive preparations.
Turkish and Regional Reactions
Turkey summoned Iran’s ambassador following the first incident and sent Patriots as Erdogan spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who claimed not to be responsible. Ankara, while claiming a right to retaliate, has not opened its airspace for strikes on Iran.
The incidents raise risks of the Iran war spilling into other countries, with US forces at Incirlik still operational though the consular shutdown.