Jordanian Foreign Minister Arrives in Tehran Amid Growing Fears of Iranian Attack on Israel

Latest Developments

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi traveled to Iran on August 4 to discuss regional developments with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Bagheri Kani. Safadi is the first Jordanian foreign minister to pay an official visit to the Islamic Republic since 2015. His trip comes as the region anticipates an Iranian attack on Israel to avenge the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in a presumed Israeli strike in Tehran on July 31. According to media reports, Tehran suggested that Israel was “sending mediators to contain the situation,” but Safadi maintained that he “did not come to Tehran to convey a message from Israel to Iran or vice versa.” Safadi said on X that he delivered a message from Jordan’s King Abdullah to Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian “about the regional situation” and “held talks with the [Iranian] Foreign Minister about the dangerous escalation taking place in the region.”

Safadi also spoke with his Iranian counterpart about “overcoming the differences” between their two countries. Jordan has accused Iran of driving the regional narcotics trade, which poses a threat to the Hashemite Kingdom’s border security. Iran is further destabilizing Jordan’s borders by flooding the West Bank with weapons via the Hashemite Kingdom. Tensions between Amman and Tehran also intensified after Jordan helped defend against Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel on the night of April 13-14.

Expert Analysis

“Mediation, even by local actors, does not appear to be restraining Iran. The Islamic Republic clearly wants to be seen as responding to an embarrassing breach of its security services and the killing of a leading figure in its axis of resistance. In April, Jordan played a key role in helping to intercept Iran’s drone barrage against Israel and will likely have to do so again soon.” — Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD Senior Fellow

“Jordan is navigating a delicate balancing act by establishing a modus vivendi with Iran to safeguard its airspace and sovereignty against a potential missile salvo from Tehran and its proxies. However, it is crucial for Jordan to remember that since the Hamas atrocities of October 7, Iran and its entrenched proxy network along the Kingdom’s borders have been the primary source of its security challenges. It would be surprising if this visit could significantly impact Iran’s long-term strategy of destabilizing Jordan.” — Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Research Analyst

Iran’s April Attack

Iran launched an unprecedented direct attack against Israel overnight between April 13 and 14, launching an estimated 300 drones and missiles at the Jewish state. The attack came from Iranian territory as well as from Iranian proxies in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, according to a statement by President Joe Biden. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that “more than 99 percent” of the drones and missiles were intercepted. The United States, United Kingdom, Jordan, and possibly other regional partners helped defend Israel against the Iranian attack.

Iranian Activity Along Jordan’s Borders

Iran is employing a network of militants, criminals, and intelligence operatives to smuggle weapons into the West Bank, The New York Times reported on April 9, citing a group of unnamed Iranian, American, and Israeli officials. Iranian operatives hand off the weapons to Bedouin smugglers in Jordan, who deliver the caches to criminal gangs at the Israeli border.

The trafficking of captagon — an amphetamine-like drug that was reportedly ingested by some Hamas terrorists just before carrying out the October 7 atrocities — poses another threat to Jordanian border security. On December 18, Jordanian forces busted one of the largest smuggling attempts from Syria in years when dozens of Iran-linked traffickers attempted to breach the border with 5 million captagon pills as well as rocket launchers, mines, and other explosives. The Royal Jordanian Air Force subsequently launched airstrikes against narcotrafficking hideouts in southern Syria. “Jordan knows the country that stands behind this,” former Jordanian Minister Samih Maayteh said on December 18. “It’s Iran sponsoring these militias. These are hostile military actions against Jordan on its territory.”

Related Analysis

“Iran handed Jordan and Israel an opportunity to improve ties,” by Natalie Ecanow and Behnam Ben Taleblu

“Sidestepping Tensions With Israel, Jordan Helps Repel Iran With U.S.-Led Coalition,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Attempts to Destabilize Jordan,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran-backed narco-terrorists are making billions and widening the war in the Middle East,” by Jonathan Schanzer and Natalie Ecanow