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The Turkish Defense Ministry announced on March 30 that NATO air defense systems intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile over the eastern Mediterranean Sea that had entered Turkish airspace. This marks the fourth confirmed instance of an Iranian projectile entering Turkish airspace since the war began. Iran has not commented on the attack at the time of this writing, but Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei denied on March 20 that Iran had conducted previous attacks on Turkey, calling them an Israeli ”false flag tactic.“ Iranian Defense Minister Majid Ibn al Reza held a phone call with Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler on March 30 to discuss the ongoing regional conflict, according to Iranian regime media. The officials likely discussed Iran’s violation of Turkish airspace. This incident comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC News on March 28 that Russia is providing Iran with satellite imagery of US and allied military assets in the Middle East, including Incirlik Airbase in Turkey. ISW-CTP previously noted that Russia’s provision of satellite imagery to Iran is helping Iran conduct attacks not only on US assets but also against US partners, such as Turkey.
Anti-regime media and a Kurdistan Democratic Party-affiliated journalist reported that Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters have deployed to western Iran. An Iraqi official speaking to anti-regime media claimed on March 30 that PMF fighters have deployed to Basij bases in Khorramshahr and Abadan in Khuzestan Province. The Basij is a paramilitary force that is responsible for civil defense and social control. The reported PMF deployment is notable given recent Iranian regime efforts to recruit new security force members. The regime may be mobilizing PMF fighters, in part, to strengthen control over previous protest hotspots. Large protests took place in both Khorramshahr and Abadan during the December 2025-January 2026 protests. Anti-regime media reported on March 29 that the combined force struck a border crossing checkpoint in Shalamcheh, Khuzestan Province. Anti-regime media previously reported that PMF fighters had entered Iran via the Shalamcheh crossing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Amman, Jordan, on March 29 to discuss a potential security partnership. This meeting comes after Ukraine signed defense agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar on March 28. Zelensky expressed Ukraine’s willingness to help Jordan defend against missile and drone attacks. Zelensky and King Abdullah II also discussed security issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, noting that Ukraine has experience unblocking maritime trade routes with unmanned surface vessels and is prepared to assist partners. CNN reported on March 30 that Zelensky suggested that Ukrainian sea drones could be deployed in the Strait of Hormuz.
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