Jordan Breaks Silence on Iranian Missile Strikes Amid Deepening US Defense Alliance
Jordan has shifted its cautious stance, openly condemning Iranian missile and drone strikes on its territory. Despite economic strain, Amman reaffirms its strategic military alliance with Washington as a shield against Tehran.
Jordan, a steadfast ally of the United States, is increasingly bearing the cost of its deep security ties with Washington, which stations military forces across the kingdom. In recent months, Jordan has repeatedly been targeted by Iranian missile and drone strikes. While Amman previously chose to remain silent to avoid escalation, the kingdom has now shifted its rhetoric.
Despite the risk of further attacks, Jordanian officials maintain that their alliance with the United States is non-negotiable. This partnership, built over decades of seeking closer security ties with Washington, serves as Jordan's primary defense against Iranian attempts to destabilize its neighbors.
Strengthening the Washington Alliance
Since ascending the throne in 1999 following the death of his father, King Hussein, King Abdullah II has consistently strengthened ties with Washington. Fluent in English, the king enjoys broad bipartisan support in the US Congress. US President Donald Trump has previously called him "one of the truly great leaders of the world," and former President Joe Biden has frequently praised his leadership.
As part of this partnership, Jordan provided critical logistical and intelligence support during the 2003 invasion of Iraq and contributed significantly to the coalition fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
Jordanian political analyst Amer Sabaileh told the AP news agency that Jordan's alliance with the United States is King Abdullah's primary means of securing his kingdom against regional threats, particularly from Iran. Sean Yom, a professor at Temple University, noted that Jordanian elites view Iran's support for Shiite militias in Iraq, Palestinian armed groups, and Syrian drug smugglers as a direct threat to the Hashemite monarchy.
US Military Footprint and Financial Aid
In 2021, Washington and Amman signed a defense cooperation agreement granting US forces access to 12 military facilities across Jordan. According to David Schenker, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base has become a major logistical hub for US C-17 transport aircraft and approximately 60 fighter jets.
Schenker, who served as the top State Department official for the Middle East during the first Trump administration, explained:
"Jordan provides immense strategic depth. Its location is vital for operations against Iran, but that also makes it a target. This is not just an attack on US forces; it is an attack on King Abdullah."
Approximately 50,000 US troops are currently deployed across the Middle East. Schenker estimates that at least 8% of Jordan's annual budget—amounting to $1.47 billion—comes directly from US bilateral assistance. In May, the Pentagon shifted personnel and equipment from anti-ISIS missions in Iraq to Jordan, a move aimed at protecting US forces from Iranian missile range.
A Shift in Rhetoric
Following a series of unacknowledged strikes, Amman has abandoned its policy of silence. Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi recently stated:
"Iran has been targeting us and many other countries in the region long before this war even began."
Safadi emphasized that while Jordan seeks good relations with Iran, Tehran must address the root causes of tension, including its support for weapons and drug smuggling into the kingdom. On the same day, Jordan's Foreign Ministry issued a formal condemnation of Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded sharply, questioning how long Iran was expected to tolerate violations of its sovereignty and accusing Jordan of allowing its airspace to be used for US military operations.
This diplomatic clash follows concrete military action. On September 2, the Jordanian military announced it had intercepted 10 out of 13 ballistic missiles launched from Iran. On August 31, Jordanian air defenses intercepted eight missiles. Most recently, Israeli civilians near the Sea of Galilee filmed mid-air interceptions over northern Israel, which the IDF confirmed were conducted by Jordanian air defense systems.
