Reports circulated online claiming that Iran has fired ballistic missiles at a nuclear weapons storage facility at Incirlik Air Base, a key North Atlantic Treaty Organization installation in southern Turkey that is believed to house American nuclear weapons. The claims gained traction after a video surfaced online allegedly showing a ballistic missile over the base following sirens and explosions in nearby towns.
However, the authenticity of the footage and the nature of the incident quickly became the subject of debate, with fact-checks on social media disputing parts of the narrative.
Incirlik Air Base, Turkey: Viral Video And Sirens
According to claims circulating on social media, an Iranian ballistic missile had targeted a facility believed to store nuclear weapons at Incirlik Air Base. The base is widely known to host U.S. military assets and is considered strategically important to NATO operations in the region.
🚨🇮🇷🇹🇷 Iranian ballistic missile reportedly targeted NATO’s Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, home to an estimated 50 U.S. nuclear bombs.
Iran just fired at a nuclear weapons storage facility.
Let that sink in.pic.twitter.com/1HBFzXMD1V https://t.co/qCPabnsxiR
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 13, 2026
A video shared online purportedly showed a ballistic missile passing over the base after sirens sounded in surrounding areas. The report also noted that an eerie siren was heard near the facility, a development highlighted by the Russian state-linked outlet RT.
The footage and accompanying claims suggested that Iran had fired at a nuclear weapons storage site, raising immediate concerns about the potential consequences of such an escalation.
Truth Behind The Claims On Iranian Attack On Incirlik Air Base
Despite the alarming claims, users on X quickly flagged inconsistencies in the viral video. A community fact-check attached to the post stated, “While Iranian missiles were intercepted in Turkish airspace in March 2026, this video shows shelling in Aleppo, Syria (Jan 2026), not over Incirlik. Debris fell ~150km from the base; no confirmed targeting of Incirlik.”
While the viral video may not depict the alleged event, officials confirmed that Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted near Turkish territory on two occasions earlier in March.
JUST IN: Iran fired ballistic missiles at a NATO base storing American nuclear weapons. Twice.
On 4th March, NATO air defences intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile entering Turkish airspace after transiting Iraq and Syria. Debris fell in Hatay province, near Incirlik Air… pic.twitter.com/ICDnLUbPAW
— Shanaka Anslem Perera ⚡ (@shanaka86) March 13, 2026
On March 4, NATO air defenses intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile that had entered Turkish airspace after transiting through Iraq and Syria. Debris from the interception fell in Hatay Province, close to Incirlik Air Base.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defence confirmed the incident.
A second missile was intercepted on March 9, this time by a United States Navy SM-3 interceptor launched from a destroyer. Debris from that interception fell in Gaziantep.
Authorities reported that neither incident resulted in a direct hit or casualties.
Following the incidents, Turkey summoned the Iranian ambassador, deployed additional Patriot air defence batteries and condemned the airspace violations through diplomatic channels.
Nuclear Weapons Stored At Incirlik Air Base
According to a 2026 assessment by the Federation of American Scientists, Incirlik Air Base stores an estimated 20 to 30 American B61-12 nuclear gravity bombs.
The weapons are kept inside WS3 vaults located within 21 hardened aircraft shelters and remain under U.S. custody. They are protected by Permissive Action Link (PAL) codes, which are designed to prevent unauthorized detonation.
Experts say that even if a missile directly struck the facility, it would not trigger a nuclear explosion.
Turkey Calls For Diplomacy As Iran War Intensifies
Amid rising tensions in the region, Turkey said it was maintaining communication with both Washington and Tehran in an effort to help end the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Speaking in Ankara alongside his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan acknowledged that the situation had intensified.
“We have been experiencing the most intense moments of the war in the last few days,” Fidan said at a press conference.
Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
