Amman: Jordan shot down Iranian missiles and drones crossing overhead, while Saudi Arabia likely allowed Israel to use its airspace for similar purposes. This comes despite both countries publicly opposing Israel’s attacks on Iran.
According to Deutsche Welle, the 21 Arab and Muslim-majority countries recently expressed their “categorical rejection and condemnation of Israel’s recent attacks on the Islamic Republic of Iran,” which began on June 13. The nations highlighted the necessity to halt “Israeli hostilities against Iran” and voiced “great concern regarding this dangerous escalation, which threatens to have serious consequences on the peace and stability of the entire region.”
Domestically, such military actions may incite tensions. Both nations harbor historical antipathy towards Israel due to past conflicts, a sentiment strongly present in Jordan, where at least 20% of the population, including the queen, are of Palestinian descent. The Jordanian government justified its actions as self-defense, a narrative consistently broadcasted across various media channels, as noted by Edmund Ratka, head of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s office in Amman, Jordan.
Ratka also pointed to the current Jordanian political landscape, referencing the April ban on the Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s largest political opposition movement, for alleged plots to destabilize Jordan. This move appears strategically designed to curb the Muslim Brotherhood’s rising popularity amidst regional tensions, as British think tank Chatham House’s Neil Quilliam suggested.
Stefan Lukas of Middle East Minds emphasized the importance for Jordan to ensure that downing Iranian missiles isn’t perceived as solidarity with Israel. However, this action inevitably escalates tensions, highlighting Jordan’s precarious position. Ratka confirmed that Jordanians largely view Israel as the aggressor, though they harbor similar sentiments towards Iran, perceived as a destabilizing force within Arab affairs.
Jordan’s reliance on the US, underpinned by a 2021 defense cooperation agreement allowing US military freedom of movement within its borders, further complicates its stance. This dependency constrains Jordan from opposing the US or Israeli actions overtly, despite the absence of Israeli airspace violations.
Saudi Arabia faces its own diplomatic balancing act, having signed the same declaration condemning Israeli actions but maintaining unofficial cooperation with Israel against Iran. Lukas noted Saudi Arabia’s role in providing radar data and permitting Israeli aircraft access to its airspace, particularly in regions traversed by Iranian missiles.
Despite recent reconciliation efforts, Saudi Arabia’s relationship with Iran remains fragile, prompting reliance on US security assurances. This duality in their foreign policy underscores the complex geopolitical realities facing both Jordan and Saudi Arabia amidst the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
