Jordan’s decades-long security partnership with the United States is facing a significant test as Iranian missile and drone attacks increasingly expose the kingdom to the consequences of its role as one of Washington’s closest allies in the Middle East.
Hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles have targeted Jordan, putting additional pressure on a country already confronting economic difficulties and growing instability along its borders.
Despite the escalating security risks, Jordanian leaders have shown little indication that they intend to retreat from their partnership with Washington. The alliance remains central to Amman’s strategy for protecting the kingdom against regional threats, including Iran and armed groups aligned with Tehran.
Jordan also hosts U.S. military personnel and plays an important role in American security operations across the region.
A defence cooperation agreement signed in 2021 granted U.S. forces and contractors access to 12 military sites in Jordan. The kingdom’s location — bordering Syria, Iraq, Israel and the West Bank — has made it strategically important to Washington.
Jordan has supported U.S.-led military operations in the region and participated in the campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
King Abdullah II, who took the throne in 1999, has consistently sought to strengthen relations with successive U.S. administrations.
But those ties have also increased Jordan’s exposure as regional hostilities intensify.
Iranian missiles and drones have been launched toward the kingdom in recent months, although U.S. air-defence systems have intercepted most of them.
Jordan has rejected Iranian accusations that it is participating in the broader conflict.
Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said Amman has the sovereign right to determine its own security policies and insisted that Jordan is not a party to the war.
“Iran has been attacking us and many other countries in the region long before even this war started,” Safadi said.
Economic and regional pressures mount
The security challenge comes as Jordan struggles with significant economic pressures.
The kingdom has absorbed millions of refugees fleeing conflicts elsewhere in the Middle East, placing additional demands on public services and government finances.
High energy costs, inflation and weakness in the tourism sector have compounded those difficulties.
Instability in the neighbouring West Bank represents another major concern for Amman.
Increasing violence involving Israeli settlers and Palestinians has heightened fears in Jordan that a further deterioration in conditions could trigger another movement of Palestinians across the border.
Such an outcome would carry major political, economic and demographic consequences for the kingdom.
Jordan has historically attempted to balance its close relationship with Washington with its own domestic and regional interests. But the widening confrontation involving Iran is making that balancing act increasingly difficult.
For Amman, maintaining American military and economic support remains critical to its security. At the same time, the presence of U.S. forces and Jordan’s close cooperation with Washington risk making the country a more prominent target as regional tensions escalate.
The result is a growing strategic dilemma: the U.S. alliance that provides Jordan with an important layer of protection is also becoming one of the factors increasing its exposure to the region’s expanding conflict.
