Jordan's Tightrope Walk: Caught Between US, Iran, and Israel

Introduction

Jordan's King Abdullah II is walking a tightrope between his country's dependence on the United States, Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, and Iranian attacks on US military bases in Jordan. The recent Iranian missile strike on a US base in Jordan, which killed two US service members and injured around 30 others, has raised the stakes for one of the US's closest Arab allies.

The US-Iran Conflict and Jordan's Vulnerability

Jordan is one of the eight Arab countries that host permanent US military facilities, making it a prime target for Iranian attacks. The US's military presence in Jordan is a significant factor in the kingdom's economic and military dependence on the US. However, this dependence also creates public discontent, as evident in a 2026 poll by Arab Barometer, which found that only 12% of Jordanians view US President Donald Trump's foreign policy favorably.

The Palestinian Issue and Jordan's Regional Role

The Palestinian issue is of particular importance for Jordan, as more than half of the population, including Queen Rania, has Palestinian roots. Jordan has been at the forefront of efforts to push for a two-state solution, which would grant Palestinians their own state alongside Israel. However, the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank has exacerbated popular anger and created space for protests.

The West Bank and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The West Bank, a landlocked territory of about 5,655 square kilometers, lies between Israel and Jordan. Israel took control of it from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War. The establishment of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 has no legal validity, according to the United Nations Security Council. The encroachment of Israeli settlements has made conditions dire for Palestinian farmers and produce sellers.

Conclusion

Jordan's King Abdullah II faces a precarious balancing act as the kingdom becomes increasingly entangled in the US-Iran conflict. The kingdom's dependence on the US, Israeli settler violence in the West Bank, and Iranian attacks on US military bases in Jordan create a complex web of regional dynamics. The Palestinian issue remains a critical factor in Jordan's regional role, and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank has exacerbated popular anger and created space for protests.

Recommendations

* The US should reassess its military presence in Jordan and consider reducing its dependence on the kingdom.

* Jordan should continue to push for a two-state solution and work towards a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

* The international community should provide support to Jordan in addressing the economic and social challenges created by the US-Iran conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Editor's Note: The long-term implications of the US-Iran conflict and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Jordan's regional role and stability are uncertain.

Source referenced: DW

This brief was synthesized by our Editorial Engine and reviewed by The Ground Narrative team.