Jordan's Reaction to Iranian Threats: Navigating a Delicate Balance
Recent hostilities marked a rare breach of Jordanian airspace by Iranian drones and missiles, reminiscent of past conflicts. This latest incident echoes the historic intrusion during the Gulf War, underscoring Jordan's strategic challenges in the region.
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Last weekend, Jordan intercepted Iranian drones and missiles aimed at Israel, lighting up the skies over Amman and other Jordanian cities. Despite this dramatic event, officials in the country remained silent for hours.
Tehran launched a surprising attack on Israel as a response to a suspected Israeli assault on its diplomatic building in Damascus on April 1. This has left the kingdom in a precarious and risky situation.
Jordan finds itself in a difficult position due to its geographical location. The small country is sandwiched between Israel and the West Bank on one side, and Iraq, where pro-Iran militias hold power, on the other. To the north, Syria is struggling and also under Iran's influence.
Last week, missiles aimed at Israel crossed into Jordanian airspace for the first time in over thirty years. This happened when Saddam Hussein launched Scud missiles at Israel during the Gulf War in 1991.
However, a lot has changed since then. Jordan made history by becoming the second Arab country to sign a peace agreement with Israel in 1994. This move was seen as crucial for regional security by Israel's Western allies. Jordan also has a strong partnership with Israel in terms of intelligence and security cooperation. Additionally, the country hosts American troops and relies on military aid from the United States.
This handout photo shows the Israeli war cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, holding a meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 14. Portions of this photo have been blurred by the source.
This photo captures the Israeli war cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during a meeting in Tel Aviv, Israel, on April 14. Some parts of the photo have been intentionally blurred by the source.
Ariel Hermoni/IMoD
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Israel is faced with a dilemma in how to respond to Iran's attack. The Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty, which has always been unpopular in Jordan, is now under increased stress. Emotions are running high in Jordan due to the war in Gaza, where over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel. Jordan's population is predominantly Palestinian or of Palestinian descent, and its leadership has been struggling to manage public anger while maintaining its alliance with the United States and relationship with Israel.
Early on Sunday, Jordanians shared videos on social media showing interceptions and projectile fragments falling in different parts of the country. According to one resident in Amman who spoke to CNN, the experience was frightening as the explosions could be heard echoing across the area.
The only information officially released regarding the incident was announced by the country's civil aviation agency. They had declared the closure of Jordan's airspace for air traffic just hours before the attack.
The optics were not favorable that night.
It did not take long for social media to be filled with posts criticizing Jordan and its leadership for the interceptions. Many people portrayed the kingdom as siding with Israel while Palestinians were being bombed in Gaza. One meme circulating among users, who seemed to be from outside Jordan, showed a fake image of King Abdullah wearing an Israeli military uniform.
Officials were likely scrambling behind the scenes to explain the events to their people.
On Sunday, the government announced that interceptions were carried out "to protect citizens and residential areas." Prime Minister Bisher al-Khasawneh, addressing a cabinet meeting, cautioned against the spread of rumors or misleading news that could cause anxiety and fear.
However, this announcement did not alleviate the worries of many in the kingdom who fear that more trouble may be on the horizon. Following its attack on Israel, Tehran shifted its attention towards Jordan.
The military forces of our country are closely watching Jordan's movements during the punitive attack of Israel. An unidentified source in the Islamic Republic’s armed forces shared with the semi-official Fars news agency that Jordan could be the next target if they participate in any possible action.
In response to the statement, Jordan summoned the Iranian ambassador in Amman to express their concerns about what they deemed as "harmful disinformation." Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi mentioned in an interview with CNN's Becky Anderson that Amman will take action against Iran if such misinformation continues. He also highlighted the longstanding threats faced by Jordan from Iranian-backed groups involved in illegal activities like smuggling drugs and weapons.
Tough balancing act
US and Israeli officials sought to play up the role of Arab states in thwarting Iran’s attack. But Jordan pushed a different narrative.
Safadi explained that the actions taken were in line with their established policy regarding any foreign objects entering Jordan's airspace. He emphasized the potential danger posed by projectiles or drones falling within Jordan's borders and the necessity of safeguarding the country from such threats. Safadi made it clear that regardless of the origin of the drones, whether from Israel, Iran, or any other source, Jordan's priority remains the protection of its territory and citizens.
In line with this commitment to security, Jordan has increased surveillance measures by deploying fighter jets to patrol the skies since Monday. The military has stepped up its air sorties to deter any potential violations of Jordan's airspace and ensure the safety of the nation.
"During his visit to the northern governorate of Mafraq on Tuesday, King Abdullah emphasized that Jordan will not be a battleground for any party. He highlighted that the protection of Jordanians is the top priority above all else."
In an exclusive interview with CNN's Becky Anderson, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi weighs in on the rising regional tensions following Iran's attack on Israel and reaffirms the need for de-escalation.
In a special interview with CNN's Becky Anderson, Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi discusses the increasing tensions in the region after Iran's attack on Israel. He emphasizes the importance of de-escalation to prevent further conflict.
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Jordan's foreign minister has urged for de-escalation following the Iranian attack. The country's clear message to the international community and its allies is to shift the focus back to Gaza and the plight of the Palestinians there. King Abdullah emphasized to US President Joe Biden in a call on Sunday that ending the conflict in Gaza is crucial in reducing regional tensions, as reported by the Jordanian Royal Court.
Safadi claimed in a CNN interview that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was trying to divert attention from international pressure on Israel by provoking a conflict with Iran.
The Jordanian monarch has been in a difficult position since October, as the increasing number of casualties in Gaza has led to widespread protests.
Abdullah and Queen Rania, who is of Palestinian descent, have been vocal critics of Israel's actions in Gaza. Jordan has played a key role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza by using its military airport for international airdrops.
However, many in Jordan feel that more needs to be done. Since October, protesters have been calling on the kingdom to take stronger actions, including cutting ties with Israel and closing the embassy in Amman, where numerous protests have taken place in the last six months.
Jordan's relationship with Israel has been strained for years, reaching its lowest point in decades under Netanyahu's leadership. Safadi, Jordan's foreign minister, expressed frustrations by stating that the Jordan-Israel peace treaty is now seen as "a document collecting dust."
As tensions rise in the region due to Iran's attack, the Middle East is at a critical juncture, with the looming threat of a full-scale war. This situation is particularly crucial for Jordan, a key Western ally known for its stability in a region filled with turmoil.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the precarious situation Jordan finds itself in, caught between its alliance with Israel and the threat posed by Iran. The recent interception of Iranian drones and missiles over Jordanian airspace has raised tensions in the region and put Jordan in a difficult position. While Jordan has historically maintained a strong partnership with Israel, the war in Gaza and the increasing casualties have led to widespread protests and anger among the Jordanian population. The government's decision to intercept the drones has been met with criticism from some who view it as siding with Israel against the Palestinians.
Jordan's balancing act is a delicate one. The country relies on military aid from the United States and has a long-standing peace agreement with Israel. However, it also faces pressure from Iran and its allies in the region. The recent attack by Iran is a reminder of the potential risks involved in Jordan's position. The country's leadership must navigate these challenges carefully to maintain stability and protect its interests.
