Jordan’s Last Ditch Efforts To Convince Iran Against Attacking Israel (Image: IRNA)
Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, hours before made a rare and urgent visit, happening in decades, to Iran in an effort to dissuade Tehran from launching an attack on Israel following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Iran has vowed revenge after alleging that Israel was behind the assassination of the Hamas leader. Safadi’s mission underscores the precarious position Jordan finds itself in, balancing its role as a Western ally with a significant Palestinian population and the growing domestic pressure to distance itself from Israel. Jordan’s geographical position is also important in the whole conflict as it will be difficult for Iran to attack Israel without crossing Jordanian airspace. On August 1, Amman released a statement saying that it will defend its airspace from being violated and will not allow the country to be turned into a “battlefield”, while warning that they will ‘confront the violators’.
During his visit, Safadi met with Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri Kani, and reportedly conveyed a message from Jordan’s King Abdullah II to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. While Safadi insisted that he was not carrying any direct message from Israel, his visit is widely seen as an attempt to prevent further escalation in a region already on edge.
Jordan’s concern is not just for Israel’s safety but also for its own security. Earlier this year, Jordan intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at Israel, emphasising that it would not allow its airspace to be used for military operations. This stance was reiterated by Safadi, who stressed the “neutrality of the Jordanian airspace” during his discussions in Tehran.
The assassination of Haniyeh has further strained relations in the region, with Iran declaring that it will respond decisively to what it views as a grave provocation. Tehran has called for a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to pressure Arab Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to adopt sanctions against Israel.
Jordan’s domestic situation adds another layer of complexity. With over half of its population being Palestinian or of Palestinian descent, the kingdom is facing mass demonstrations in support of Gaza and widespread anger over the assassination. The Jordanian government has condemned the killing as an “escalatory crime” and a “flagrant violation of international law.”
Despite Jordan’s efforts, the chances of success appear slim. Iran has made it clear that there is no room for compromise, and the internal debate in Tehran is heavily influenced by calls for a strong military response. The final decision on how Iran will respond rests with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who is being advised by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Adding to the tension, there is skepticism within Iran about the role of its intelligence services, with some speculating that Israeli intelligence, Mossad, may have penetrated Iranian ranks. This suspicion has fueled rumors of betrayal and incompetence within Iran’s security apparatus.
Safadi’s visit marks the first by a Jordanian foreign minister to Iran in two decades, highlighting the gravity of the situation. However, given the current dynamics, it remains uncertain whether Jordan’s diplomatic efforts will be able to prevent further escalation between Iran and Israel. The region, already volatile, teeters on the brink of yet another conflict, with Jordan striving to keep its own borders secure while navigating the complex web of regional alliances and enmities.
