Israel Urges West to Shore Up Jordan Against Iran

Latest Developments​

Israel urged Western countries on August 29 to help shore up Jordan against destabilization efforts by Iran. On the second day of an Israeli security sweep of the West Bank, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz publicly linked the threat posed by growing terrorism in the West Bank to Iran. Katz said in a post on X that Tehran is seeking to set up a proxy terrorist infrastructure in the territory akin to those in the Gaza Strip, Yemen, and Iraq. To that end, he added that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operatives have been smuggling weapons into the West Bank through Syria and Jordan. The IRGC is “attempting to destabilize the (Hashemite) regime and turn the Israel-Jordan border from a peaceful one into a volatile front,” Katz said. “The U.S. and Western countries must strengthen the Kingdom of Jordan against Iranian subversion and enable it to defend its borders.”

Meanwhile, Katz suggested that Israel should continue its West Bank interdiction efforts, acting “decisively against the terror infrastructure being built on the ground, as we have already begun,” and quickly erect a security fence on its side of the Jordan border “to prevent an influx of advanced Iranian weapons.” Katz’s remarks, which largely mirror his earlier statement on August 12, come in the same week that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi visited the Jordan Valley — on the border between the West Bank and Jordan — where he met with heads of local municipalities and military commanders responsible for the area’s security.

Expert Analysis​

“The Hashemite minority government’s relationship with the Palestinian majority in Jordan is a matter of understandable sensitivity. But no one — ordinary Palestinians included — would benefit from Israel failing to stamp out Iran-backed Hamas and other IRGC proxies in Gaza and the West Bank. The Iranian axis is so far-reaching and ferocious that a united and public front against it is required.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Iran’s ambition to destabilize the Hashemite Kingdom is not new. However, Tehran has exploited the regional security situation since October 7 to increase pressure on Jordan, both internally and externally. Iran’s proxy in Gaza, Hamas, has played a key role in inciting Jordan’s Palestinian-majority population, many of whom chant in support of Hamas leaders like Yahya Sinwar and wear Qassam headbands. Jordan must not tolerate the rising influence of Iranian-backed groups in the West Bank, as this growing threat could ultimately jeopardize the kingdom’s national security.” — Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Research Analyst

Jordanian King Continues Criticism of Israel

The remarks were not echoed in Amman, which has regularly inveighed against its security partner Israel’s defensive actions in Gaza and the West Bank. During a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Jordan’s King Abdullah II “called for stopping Israeli attacks in the West Bank and reaching comprehensive calm, in order to prevent a regional expansion of the conflict,” according to Jordan’s official news agency Petra.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Traveled to Tehran

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. On August 4, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi arrived in Tehran as regional tensions escalated following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. 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.”

Related Analysis

“IDF chief of staff visits Jordan Valley amid West Bank terror threats,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Israel Issues Warning Over Iran, Hamas Destabilization of Jordan and West Bank,” FDD Flash Brief

Jordanian Foreign Minister Arrives in Tehran,” FDD Flash Brief

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